Staff ReportsPresident Trump recently revealed he had the opportunity to pardon himself when he vacated the White House for the first time but opted out. One might think this situation resembles a game of political chess, and it looks like the former president decided to forego the self-checkmate. During his first Oval Office interview of his anticipated second administration, Trump sat down with Fox News’ Sean Hannity for a chat that’s bound to send liberals scrambling for their fainting couches.
Trump recounted how advisers presented him with the chance to pardon not just himself but a whole laundry list of individuals. However, he refused, sticking to his guns that his administration was clean as a whistle. He recounted tales of fellow patriots who faced unjust treatment. The former president highlighted the plight of Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, who found themselves behind bars while serving their nation, and pointed out that many in his administration suffered severe consequences as a result of what was perceived as political witch hunts.
Trump says he had the option to pardon himself, says it's 'sad' Biden didn't pardon himselfhttps://t.co/ew4wbionAP pic.twitter.com/0cfOjnRBAr
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) January 23, 2025
In stark contrast, President Biden apparently had no qualms about issuing a record number of pardons during his time in office. Not only did he hand out pardons to individuals who were more deserving of the “Get Out of Jail Free” card, he is also rumored to have preemptively pardoned Dr. Fauci and members of the January 6 committee. It seems Biden thinks everybody but himself deserves a break. The irony isn’t lost—the Gambit King himself didn’t even clear his own slate as he shuffled out of the White House.
As this political theater continues, there are whispers about whether Biden should face investigations, something Trump was coy about discussing. After enduring what he labeled “four years of hell,” Trump asserted that he would leave the decision to Congress—might have to dust off those investigations long gone from the front page. It seems the deep state drama isn’t quite over, and Biden’s advisers apparently aren’t helping his case. Trump humorously noted that the advice to offer pardons to everyone except himself was likely a miscalculation at best.
While Biden and his administration might have deepened the divide in the country, Trump’s stance on prosecution and legal accountability sends a clear message: let the chips fall where they may. After all, if the Democrats can dish out abundant pardons while Trump takes the high road, they might want to brace themselves for an incoming round of accountability as he prepares to reclaim the Oval Office.
