Trump Pardons Notorious Gang Leader Larry Hoover After Kanye West’s Intervention

by Kevin MaguireMay 30, 2025, 2:08 amNews >

President Donald Trump has pardoned the federal life sentence of Larry Hoover, one of Chicago’s most notorious gang leaders and founder of the Gangster Disciples.

Hoover, 74, has spent nearly 30 years at ADX Florence in Colorado, a federal supermax prison regarded as one of the most secure facilities in the world. Hoover was convicted for the 1973 murder of William “Pooky” Young, a 19-year-old local drug dealer in Chicago. In 1997, a federal jury found Hoover guilty of numerous federal crimes, adding six life terms to his sentence.

One key supporter of Hoover is Kanye West, who reportedly spoke directly with Trump about the case.

The Gangster Disciples got their start in the 1970s, selling various drugs throughout the city of Chicago, including cocaine and heroin. At the height of their power, the gang amassed nearly 30,000 members and made approximately $100 million per year. As their leader, Hoover earned the nickname “King Hoover.”

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“Thankfully, Mr. Hoover’s pleas were heard by President Trump, who took action to deliver justice for Mr. Hoover,” Hoover’s lawyers said in a public statement. “We are thrilled to see that Mr. Hoover will be released from federal custody.”

While Hoover will be pardoned from his federal sentence, he still faces a 200-year state sentence for the 1973 murder. As a result, he is expected to be transferred from ADX Florence to a prison in Illinois sometime soon.

“The courts have demonstrated a complete unwillingness to consider Mr. Hoover’s considerable growth and complete rehabilitation,” Hoover’s lawyers added. “Despite the court’s unwillingness to do the right thing, Mr. Hoover has been able to keep his voice alive through the incredible work of many advocates and supporters.”

Hoover’s case has remained heavily contested, with some believing he was unjustly targeted by law enforcement while others claim he’s continued to lead the Gangster Disciples from his prison cell. In Chicago, some view Hoover as a local hero who supported the neighborhood.