Staff Reports
President Biden is toying with the idea of issuing preemptive pardons for some political figures who have been on Donald Trump’s radar, such as former Rep. Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci. This latest maneuver comes as Biden clumsily attempts to navigate the deep waters of bipartisan politics, though it appears he may have taken a snorkeling trip instead of a deep dive. During a recent chat with USA Today, the current president hinted at this unusual act of political goodwill, leaving many to wonder if he’s lost sight of what a pardon actually means.
Biden has publicly urged Trump to bury the hatchet with Cheney, who essentially took the role of the captain on the anti-Trump impeachment cruise. Biden feels that it’s simply not in Trump’s best interest to continue the vendetta against those who’ve crossed him. Despite this tête-à-tête, it seems Trump, the master of showmanship, responded not with fireworks but with a polite nod. Perhaps everyone is waiting for a sitcom-style laugh track to cue in the background.
In an eyebrow-raising turn, the president is also considering extending pardons to Adam Schiff, the poster child for drama in the House’s investigation into Trump’s alleged connection to the riot at the Capitol. Biden’s willingness to throw around pardons like they are going out of style is quite the departure from the historical norms of presidential power. Pardons are typically bestowed upon individuals who have already faced the music, not those still riding the political merry-go-round without a ticket.
He’s playing with fire ~ ~ Biden weighs preemptive pardons for Cheney, Fauci, other Trump foes https://t.co/xIqyizY502 pic.twitter.com/Dfpw5fn7qk
— Mary (@matjendav4) January 8, 2025
In Biden’s view, granting these pardons seems to reflect a liberal fear of Trump’s potential retribution against his perceived enemies. Trump recently indicated that Cheney and her cohort should be behind bars for their committee efforts. While Biden is dreaming up ways to absolve his political opposites, Trump is busy reminding everyone that he has a sharper sword than ever when it comes to settling scores. The stark contrast between the two continues to provide endless fodder for both sides of the aisle, leaving conservative commentators wondering if Biden’s approach is born from wisdom or desperation.
As Trump floats the idea of pardoning his own supporters caught up in the January 6 aftermath, Biden finds himself in a bind. The recent controversy of Biden’s own pardoning behavior—specifically sparing his son Hunter from a potential prison sentence—highlights a pattern of behavior that reeks of political favoritism. Throwing out blanket pardons may seem like a strategy to rob Trump of future grievances, but ultimately, it raises serious questions about the integrity of the justice system under the current administration. While votes are cast and sides are taken, America watches in disbelief as both political titans plot their respective courses of action, undoubtedly leading to even more political theater ahead.
