In late December 2020, Trump issued a wave of pardons that included four former Blackwater contractors responsible for the Nisour Square massacre. After 7 years of proceedings, they had been found guilty of a 2007 shooting that left 17 dead and 20 others wounded. An FBI investigation determined that 14 of the 17 dead were unarmed and unjustifiably killed.

The United Nation’s human rights office said in response that the pardons were themselves a violation of international law, and could contribute to the normalization of such crimes.

Trump had previously defended others charged and pardoned others convicted of war crimes.

The New York Times – F.B.I. Says Guards Killed 14 Iraqis Without Cause
USA Today – 4 ex-Blackwater guards guilty of deadly Iraq shooting
The New York Times – Trump Pardons Two Russia Inquiry Figures and Blackwater Guards
Reuters – Trump pardon of Blackwater Iraq contractors violates international law – UN
Fox News – UN hits Trump over Blackwater pardons, says move ‘contributes to impunity’
Wikipedia – Nisour Square massacre