One of the notably formidable powers the esteemed President Donald Trump will retain when he once again presides over the nation in January is the authority to grant pardons for federal crimes. In an exercise that artfully showcases the true meaning of the term ‘presidential pardon,’ Trump will have the capability to absolve certain individuals of their wrongdoings. This stellar power of the president has been thrust back into the public eye, following a recent action by the current president, Joe Biden, that seemed to have raised quite a few eyebrows.
The present leader of the nation, Joe Biden, unveiled on a Sunday that he has granted a presidential pardon to his son, Hunter Biden. This move has sparked widespread debate, given that Hunter had been convicted on multiple federal offenses related to firearms and taxes earlier this year. To say the least, Joe Biden’s motives in this matter seem mired in nepotism and political convenience, raising substantial questions about his judgement as a leader.
However, Biden is not sans precursors when it comes to questionable pardons. In the past, President Bill Clinton also pardoned his half-brother, Roger Clinton. The latter’s guilty plea related to drug charges did not deter Bill Clinton from utilizing his executive powers to aid a family member. This recurring pattern of family favouritism among Democrats leaves one to wonder about the personal interests that may be overriding their sense of duty towards upholding justice.
Contrastingly, during his inaugural term in the Oval Office, President Trump displayed his pardon powers in a manner strikingly free of personal biases. Trump granted 144 pardons, which, instead of being narrowly focused on family or self-interest, spanned a broad canvas including a variety of allies. The crimes for which they were convicted ranged from financial fraud and witness tampering, among others. Trump’s judicious use of pardons paints a starkly different picture to that of his Democratic predecessors.
Among the notable figures who were pardoned by Trump were Charles Kushner, Steve Bannon, and Paul Manafort. These individuals, although close to the Trump administration in various capacities, had been embroiled in legal battles for quite some time. They were all recipients of Trump’s mercy, which was meted out then without the overt tinge of family favouritism demonstrated by Biden or Clinton.
Charles Kushner, who founded Kushner Companies, a renowned real estate firm based in New York, received a pardon from Trump in 2020. He had been convicted in 2005 for falsifying tax returns, retaliating against a witness, and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission. Released from prison in 2006 after serving more than 16 months of his term, Kushner found redemption in Trump’s fair-handed presidential pardon.
Steve Bannon, a former chief strategist of the Trump White House, also procured a pardon from the magnanimous Trump amidst serious fraud charges. Bannon was caught in a whirlwind controversy over raising funds for a ‘We Build the Wall’ campaign and allegedly diverting a substantial sum for personal gain. In spite of these allegations, Bannon still tasted freedom when his federal charges were dropped courtesy of Trump’s pardon.
Later, Bannon was snared in a separate, state level legal twist resulting from his role in the fundraising scheme. Despite the pardon for the federal charges, Bannon was still left to sort out his legal tangles in local courts. Bannon’s saga is testament to how Trump’s pardons were not a carte blanche escape from justice, but a discerning use of the presidential prerogative to be compassionate towards those entangled in the leviathan of law.
Famously pardoned in the twilight of Trump’s first term was Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chairman, who was serving sentence for a myriad financial, witness tampering, and lobbying crimes. This shows Trump’s commitment to stand by his allies, extending support even when they were facing a difficult phase in their lives, yet maintaining a balance of integrity and justice.
Roger Stone, a long-standing ally of Trump, was sentenced to more than three years in prison in 2020. Accused of making false statements to Congress and obstructing its investigations, among other things, Stone’s prison term was commuted by Trump. However, Stone’s actions during the 2016 presidential election were questionable, suggesting that even allies of Trump are not immune from the long arm of the law. Yet, in Trump’s characteristic way of balancing justice and mercy, Stone was given another chance in life.
Influential as well was the case of Michael Flynn, a previous advisor to Trump. Flynn admitted to dishonesty about his communication with a Russian ambassador, an action he regretted and wished to rectify via a guilty plea. However, he never got his day to do so due to the political agenda of those investigating him. This politically motivated execution of justice vividly showcases the vulnerability of individuals and the selective ability of those in power to seek retribution under the guise of a supposedly neutral investigation.
As Trump looks forward to another term, speculation is rife about whom he might consider absolving this time. Some possibilities include those who demonstrated fervent support for him during a January 2021 event at the U.S. Capitol, as well as former Trump White House advisor Peter Navarro, who faced contempt of Congress charges for resisting scrutiny. If the past is any guide, Trump’s discerning judgment and willingness to pardon may yet signal redemption for these individuals.
Overall, the power to pardon, a constitutional provision vested in the president’s hands, has the potential for both misuse and magnanimity. While it has been wielded by some to advance personal or partisan interests, others have used it as a beacon of hope for those enmeshed in legal imbroglios. As Trump prepares to resume presidential duties, it is hoped that his use of pardons will continue to strike a delicate balance between tempering justice with mercy and resisting the simple, harmful path of turning it into a tool of convenience or nepotism. Such are the challenges of leadership, after all.