President Joe Biden, in what can only be described as a last-minute scramble to salvage some semblance of a legacy, set a record on Thursday for the most clemency actions in a single day by any president. The White House announced that Biden issued 39 pardons and commuted nearly 1,500 sentences. While the media spun this as an act of compassion, let’s not pretend this is anything more than a Hail Mary to distract from his pardon of his son, Hunter Biden—an action that even had some Democrats choking on their soy lattes.
The pardons and commutations largely focused on nonviolent offenders, particularly those convicted of drug crimes. According to the White House, many of the commutations were for individuals serving long sentences that “would have been shorter under today’s laws.” Convenient, isn’t it? Instead of focusing on law and order, Biden decided to rewrite history with the stroke of his pen, giving second chances to those he claims have “successfully reintegrated” into society.
But let’s call this what it is: political damage control. After Hunter’s pardon raised eyebrows and elicited outrage across the political spectrum, Biden had to throw some crumbs to make it look like he’s playing fair. The White House spun tales of decorated veterans, nurses, and addiction counselors among the recipients, but it conveniently left out details about the other pardons. Why the secrecy? If this is all above board, shouldn’t the American people know the full story?
Biden’s statement was filled with the usual platitudes about “advancing equal justice” and “promoting public safety.” But anyone paying attention can see this isn’t about justice; it’s about saving face. The Democratic Party, reeling from its catastrophic 2024 losses, has been scrambling to appear relevant. Biden’s sweeping clemency stunt is a desperate bid to pacify the progressive wing of his party while deflecting attention from the Hunter scandal.
Contrast this with President-elect Donald Trump, who has consistently advocated for law and order. Trump understands that clemency should be reserved for rare and deserving cases—not used as a political tool to score points. Under Trump, Americans can expect a return to a justice system that prioritizes the safety and well-being of law-abiding citizens over political expediency.