US President Donald Trump on Wednesday pardoned 73 people, including his former aide Steve Bannon, the White House said , just before he was due to leave office .
“ President Donald J . Trump granted pardons to 73 individuals and commuted the sentences of an additional 70 individuals , ” his administration said in a statement .
Bannon was granted clemency after being charged with defrauding people over funds raised to build the Mexico border wall that was a flagship Trump policy.
The president — who will leave office on Wednesday — made his last- minute decision after speaking to Bannon by phone .
The pardon would effectively wipe away charges against Bannon, if he was convicted, it said .
Trump will fly to Florida on Wednesday morning — skipping Joe Biden ’ s inauguration.
