Antoine Massey, one of two inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail on May 16, took to social media over the weekend with an unusual appeal directed at President Donald Trump. The escape suspect’s public outreach, while potentially increasing his chances of capture, highlights how Trump has become increasingly associated with advocating for individuals facing criminal charges.
According to MSNBC, the authenticity of Massey’s social media appearance was confirmed by both his mother and pastor, showing the bold nature of his public communication while being sought by authorities. Despite his history of multiple jail breaks and reportedly removing ankle monitors on two occasions, Massey chose to address the public and the president directly.
“They say that I broke out,” Massey declared in his social media video. “I didn’t break out. I was let out.” This unusual appeal to a sitting president would typically be dismissed as unrealistic, but Trump’s track record of pardons and support for various accused individuals has created a new precedent.
Trump’s growing history of controversial pardons shows a pattern of selective mercy
The president’s approach to criminal justice has been marked by high-profile pardons and expressions of support for various defendants. These range from January 6 insurrectionists to individuals convicted of serious state crimes. Trump, himself facing criminal charges, has shown particular interest in cases that have garnered public attention or involved individuals with connections to his circle.
New Orleans, United States: Authorities raided a home where a jail escapee was spotted, following a public plea for assistance in locating the individual.
— @Global Glimpse (@HimanshuSh80843) June 4, 2025
Recent examples include Trump’s pardons of Paul Walzak, a Florida nursing home executive who pleaded guilty to tax crimes, and Trevor Milton, an electric vehicle startup founder convicted of securities fraud. Notably, Walzak’s pardon came after his mother attended a $1 million-per-person fundraising dinner at Mar-a-Lago, while Milton and his wife had contributed $2 million to Trump’s re-election campaign.
The president’s pardons have not been limited to white-collar crimes. He has also extended clemency to figures like rapper NBA Youngboy, who was serving time for federal gun charges, and Larry Hoover, a Gangster Disciples leader whose federal life sentence was eliminated while his state murder conviction remains intact.
This pattern of presidential intervention has created a stark contrast in the justice system. While individuals with means or connections can potentially access presidential mercy, others face severe consequences for relatively minor involvement in criminal cases. In New Orleans, for instance, several women face high bonds for allegedly assisting jail escapees, including a nearly 60-year-old grandmother who was jailed for a week over a $50 transfer to her fugitive grandson.
