Trump commutes sentence of Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover

Context: Hoover, 74, was one of the founders of the notorious Gangster Disciples, a violent street gang on Chicago's South Side. He has been referred to as one of the most notorious criminals in Illinois history.

• He was originally convicted of murder in 1973, but was again convicted in 1997 for running his gang from his jail cell.
• The feds said Hoover ran a $100 million-a-year drug business, which employed thousands of gang soldiers.

Zoom out: Hoover has renounced his gang ties and his legal team has recently petitioned the court for reconsideration of his life sentence, based on the "First Step Act," a 2018 law signed by Trump designed to reform long prison sentences.

• Those requests were denied.

What they're saying: In recent letters to the court, Hoover wrote, "I am no longer a member, leader, or even an elder statesman of the Gangster Disciples. I want nothing to do with it now and forever."

What's next: Since Hoover is still serving the murder conviction in the state of Illinois, it's unclear if he'd still have to finish that term.

• He was sentenced for 200 years.