Staff Reports
The recent clemency grant by President Joe Biden to his son, Hunter Biden, sparked outrage among millions of Americans, and it appears that this administration is just getting warmed up. It seems that Biden is contemplating a slew of preemptive pardons aimed at individuals who could face the backlash of a new Trump administration. Talk about a game of political chess, where the pawns are those who have been on the receiving end of Biden’s mercy.
In a recent tête-à-tête with USA Today, Biden discussed his concerns regarding President-elect Donald Trump making a list and checking it twice – this time for those he feels have wronged him. Biden allegedly encouraged Trump not to wield the proverbial axe when he resumes his rightful throne in the White House. Considering that Trump is known for making those who cross him very aware of their folly, Biden’s plea might be more akin to throwing a life preserver to the shipwrecked than genuinely expecting compassion from the former president.
🚨NEW: President Biden is considering preemptive pardons for political enemies of Donald Trump prior to leaving office. Trump has hinted that many of his adversaries could face retribution for their opposition.
RETWEET if you think @POTUS should pardon Adam Kinzinger! pic.twitter.com/6nhPXtdzVM
— Protect Kamala Harris ✊ (@DisavowTrump20) December 4, 2024
Biden’s potential list of recipients for preemptive pardons reads like a who’s who of contentious figures, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Representative Bennie Thompson, and Senator Adam Schiff. It’s a curious collection indeed – from public health officials to smug politicians, and even those who challenged Trump’s legitimacy. They could soon resemble a band of political misfits, oh-so-gratefully accepting gifts from a president who seems to be playing with real-life Monopoly money.
Politicos on both sides appear to be reacting to the host of potential pardons with a mix of eagerness and skepticism. Thompson is ready to roll out the welcome mat should Biden come knocking with a pardon. Apparently, the idea of avoiding prison time is a siren call he can’t resist. Meanwhile, Schiff, always one to criticize, suddenly finds himself on moral high ground claiming he’d rather not have a pardon because it sets an “undesirable precedent.” A noble stance against the backdrop of a potential criminal past, but one can’t help but wonder if he’d still refuse a pardon if it landed on his doorstep.
Meanwhile, not-so-merry Kinzinger insists he doesn’t want a pardon either, suggesting that accepting one would imply guilt. Ironically, it seems his desire to bring “the truth to the American people” is not enough to bring him a collective sigh of relief from the GOP, standing as he does amidst a pool of politically polarizing figures. With Biden clearly weighing his options like a kid in a candy store, the direction he may take remains uncertain as he navigates these treacherous waters before leaving office.
As the date of the inauguration looms, anticipation abounds. Biden appears poised to hand out clemency like candy on Halloween, leaving both Democrats and Republicans scratching their heads. The legislative landscape in the coming weeks may be defined not just by policy decisions, but also by how many old scores Biden is willing to settle on behalf of those who may otherwise find themselves on Trump’s naughty list. The stage is set for a politically charged showdown, and in this fiasco, the pieces are already in motion.
