Staff Reports
Rudy Giuliani is once again diving into the political deep end, warning that President Joe Biden’s potential blanket pardons could lead to a Supreme Court showdown. In a recent appearance on “Just the News, No Noise,” Giuliani opined that if Biden swings for the fences and pardons a handful of individuals—perhaps as many as ten—it might just test the very boundaries of the Constitution.
The dramatic backdrop for this warning is Biden’s recent decision to pardon his son on various charges, which raises eyebrows given the president’s prior promises. If Biden is willing to toss around pardons like candy at a parade, it’s no wonder some are concerned about the constitutionality of such moves. It’s a little too reminiscent of a game of “pardon the king,” where the rulers seem to forget that the rules still apply.
Giuliani pointed out that many legal scholars have criticized the historical precedent set by President Gerald Ford when he pardoned Richard Nixon. These scholars argue that Ford’s action overstepped constitutional bounds, suggesting that Biden’s approach may not pass muster either. After all, it’s one thing to grant forgiveness for past sins, but it’s quite another to go fishing in hypothetical waters. Giuliani continues to be a watchdog, urging that the power of the pardon isn’t supposed to be a free-for-all, reminiscent of a monarchical authority.
Former NYC Mayor Giuliani says rumored blanket pardons from Biden could end up at Supreme Court https://t.co/TCEYpsw1iM via @JustTheNews
— Jack Straw (@JackStr42679640) December 12, 2024
Adding fuel to the fire, Congressman Andy Biggs from Arizona speculated that Biden’s brother James might be next in line for a special pardon. The pattern of behavior is becoming predictable: when one pardons, it’s often a family affair. One can’t help but feel there’s a potential pardon parade around the corner, which raises a compelling question—what’s next, a Presidential pardon lottery?
Giuliani’s historical references to the limitations of pardon powers make a solid point. In essence, the power of the pardon is not designed to cover future indiscretions. It’s derived from the old monarchies, where kings knew what crimes they were forgiving. To create a blanket pardon policy feels risky, almost like opening a legal Pandora’s box. At the very least, it could reinvent the debate over the presidential pardon into a modern-day constitutional crisis, while everyone else sits back and wonders what on earth is happening in the nation’s capital. It looks like the stage is set for yet another riveting chapter in the ever-entertaining saga of American politics.
