US.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday set in motion a wave of pardons 20 in all, including people convicted in the Russia investigation and three former Republican congressman convicted of financial crimes.

There's a full pardon for George Papadopoulos, a campaign adviser for the 2016 presidential race.

Papadopoulos had pleaded guilty in 2017 of lying to FBI agents about his Russia contacts during the investigation into Moscow's meddling in the election.

The man who led the probe, Robert Mueller, had called his crimes serious.

But the White House defended the pardon, saying it helped quote correct the wrong that Mueller's team inflicted on so many people.

Another pardon went toe lawyer Alex Vander Swan, also convicted of lying to investigators during the Mueller probe.

Both men have served short prison sentences.

The three ex GOP lawmakers on the clemency list were convicted of crimes from securities fraud to misuse of campaign funds.

Also listed are four former U.

S service members serving time for killing Iraqi civilians while working as contractors in 2007.

Tuesday's pardons by the outgoing president had been expected and they may not be his last before Democratic President elect Joe Biden takes office in January.