In a stunning development, President Donald Trump commuted the federal life sentences of Larry Hoover, the notorious co-founder of Chicago’s Gangster Disciples, on May 28, 2025, sparking widespread debate and mixed reactions across the city and beyond. While the commutation marks a significant step toward Hoover’s potential release, the 74-year-old remains in custody due to a 200-year state sentence for a 1973 murder.
Trump’s Clemency Decision
Larry Hoover, who has been held in solitary confinement at the ADX Florence supermax prison in Colorado for decades, had his federal sentences—stemming from 1997 convictions for running a criminal enterprise—commuted by Trump, according to a statement from his attorneys, Jennifer Bonjean and Justin Moore. The decision, first reported by NOTUS and confirmed by a White House official, will see Hoover transferred to an Illinois state prison to continue serving his state sentence for the 1973 murder of William “Pooky” Young. His projected parole date remains 2062, when he would be 111 years old.
The commutation follows years of advocacy from high-profile figures, including Kanye West (Ye) and Drake, who organized a “Free Larry Hoover” benefit concert in 2021 to raise awareness for his case and prison reform. West, who met Trump in 2018 to urge clemency, celebrated the news on X, alongside Drake, calling it a victory for redemption and justice reform. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from former prosecutors like Ron Safer, who called Hoover one of Chicago’s most “notorious” criminals, arguing that his release from federal custody is unwarranted given his role in the Gangster Disciples’ violent drug empire.
Hoover’s Criminal Legacy and Reform Efforts
Hoover, alongside David Barksdale, founded the Gangster Disciples in the late 1960s, ruling as “King Larry” until Barksdale’s death in 1974. Convicted of ordering Young’s murder in 1973, Hoover received a 150-to-200-year state sentence. Despite incarceration, he was indicted in 1995 for running the Gangster Disciples’ $100 million-a-year drug trade from prison, leading to federal life sentences in 1998. Prosecutors have long argued that Hoover maintained control over the gang through coded messages, a claim his legal team disputes.
In recent years, Hoover and his supporters have emphasized his alleged transformation, citing his “Growth & Development” initiative in the 1990s, which included voter registration drives and charity events. His son, Larry Hoover Jr., featured in Kanye West’s 2021 song “Jesus Lord,” has argued that his father’s imprisonment reflects his positive community influence. However, federal prosecutors and figures like U.S. District Judge John Blakey, who questioned in 2024 how many murders Hoover was responsible for, have expressed skepticism about his reform, citing testimony that he remained a gang “shot-caller.”
Public Reaction and Controversy
The commutation has ignited polarized responses. On X, some users hailed Trump’s decision as a bold move for justice reform, with one post calling Hoover a “prisoner of war of the crack era.” Others criticized it as a political ploy to gain votes, noting that Hoover’s transfer to an Illinois state prison—potentially harsher than federal facilities—may not equate to true freedom. Chicagoans remain divided, with some fearing Hoover’s influence could reignite gang activity, while others see his case as emblematic of overly harsh sentencing.
What’s Next for Hoover?
While the federal commutation removes Hoover’s life sentences for drug and racketeering charges, his state murder sentence keeps him incarcerated. His legal team, which sought resentencing under the 2018 First Step Act, continues to push for a parole hearing, though his last bid was denied in 2024, with the next scheduled for 2028. The transfer to Illinois raises questions about his conditions of confinement and potential for earlier parole, though no timeline has been confirmed.
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