Staff ReportsNancy Pelosi has been one of the most powerful and polarizing figures in Washington for decades. From spearheading Trump’s impeachments to ramming through Biden’s agenda in Congress, Pelosi has wielded her gavel like a sword. But now, rumors are swirling that President Joe Biden might issue a preemptive pardon to the former Speaker of the House before Donald Trump retakes the Oval Office in January.
If true, this would mark one of the most controversial uses of presidential pardon power in history—and a move that could shatter what little trust Americans have left in their leaders.
Pardon for What, Exactly?
Like others on Biden’s rumored pardon list—Dr. Fauci, Adam Schiff, and Liz Cheney—Pelosi hasn’t been charged with any crimes. But the idea of a pardon raises questions about what skeletons might be rattling in her political closet.
Pelosi has faced accusations of corruption for years. From her husband’s controversial stock trades to claims that she used her position to enrich her family, critics argue she’s the poster child for everything wrong with Washington’s elite. A pardon would only reinforce the perception that Pelosi might have something to hide—and that Biden is willing to protect her at all costs.
The Optics of a Pelosi Pardon
If Biden were to pardon Pelosi, it would be seen as the ultimate insider deal. She’s not just an ally; she’s a Democratic powerbroker who helped prop up his administration. A pardon would confirm what many Americans already suspect: that the rules don’t apply to the political elite.
For a president who promised to restore trust and transparency, pardoning Pelosi would do the opposite. It would cement the image of Biden as a president who prioritizes protecting his own over pursuing justice and accountability.
A Gift to Trump
A Pelosi pardon wouldn’t just anger Republicans—it would turbocharge Trump’s narrative. Trump has long argued that Democrats are corrupt and untouchable, while his allies are hunted down by a biased justice system. Pardoning Pelosi would hand him more ammunition to rally his base and drive home his argument that Washington is a rigged swamp.
The Pelosi Legacy
Pelosi is no stranger to controversy, but accepting a pardon—especially a preemptive one—could tarnish her legacy. It would send the message that she needed Biden to save her from legal scrutiny, rather than standing on her record and facing any challenges head-on.
For a politician who has spent decades projecting power, ending her career under the shadow of a pardon would be a disastrous finale.
The Bottom Line
A preemptive pardon for Nancy Pelosi would be a colossal mistake for Biden. It would spark outrage across the political spectrum, reinforce the belief that elites play by their own rules, and hand Trump a massive political gift heading into his second term.
If Pelosi has nothing to fear, she doesn’t need a pardon. And if she does, the American people deserve answers—not another example of swampy backroom deals. Biden should think long and hard before putting Pelosi’s name on his pardon list. The fallout would be epic.
