When reporters outside the White House asked President Biden about possibly pardoning Trump, his response was not surprising.
President Biden met the reporters’ questions with a dismissive smile and laughter, briskly heading in the direction of Marine One.
The reporter’s question came on the heels of comments from Republican candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who suggested he might consider pardoning Trump if he were elected president. DeSantis, a notable hopeful for the GOP nomination in 2024, expressed an interest in considering pardons for Trump and those involved in the January 6 riots, if Trump were to be convicted of a federal crime.
During his appearance on the “Clay and Buck” radio program, DeSantis disclosed plans to quickly form a team after taking office to review cases of individuals he thinks have been unjustly targeted or exposed to political prejudice. He gave his word to be proactive in issuing pardons.
In contrast, Biden committed during his 2020 campaign to avoid the controversial course President Gerald Ford took when he pardoned Richard Nixon. In an online town hall event in May 2015, he declared his unwillingness to pardon Trump under similar conditions.
Trump currently faces the scrutiny of a New York grand jury for over 30 charges of falsifying business documents, allegations that lie beyond the purview of presidential pardons since they are under state jurisdiction. Further, Special Counsel Jack Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, is leading investigations into claims of Trump’s illicit possession of defense information, obstruction of its subsequent investigation, and his role in the January 6 Capitol invasion.
With ongoing inquiries, the prospect of Trump facing federal indictments lingers. Biden’s reaction hints at a lack of inclination to offer a pardon, allowing justice to take its course.
