President Trump issued 30 clemency grants on Thursday, including to a drug dealer-turned-business executive, a longtime Philadelphia union boss convicted of bribery, and a former Navy sailor imprisoned for firearms offenses. The clemency grants were confirmed by White House officials and representatives for the recipients. They went to an eclectic group, continuing Mr. Trump’s unpredictable and unorthodox use of pardons that wipe away most consequences of convictions and commutations, which cut short sentences.

While other presidents have drawn criticism for using clemency to reward supporters or protect allies, Mr. Trump has taken it to a new level. His use of clemency has spawned a cottage industry of lawyers and lobbyists offering to use their connections to bring cases to his attention in exchange for hefty fees. Thursday’s beneficiaries included some prominent figures.

But the pard.