“Joe Biden’s Last-Minute Pardons Spark Intense Debate as Trump Era Begins”
In a dramatic and controversial end to his presidency, Joe Biden issued a series of last-minute pardons aimed at protecting key allies from potential legal and political repercussions under the incoming Trump administration. The list of recipients included prominent figures such as former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the January 6 Committee. While the move was intended as a safeguard against GOP-led retaliation, it immediately ignited debates over its implications and limitations.
Biden’s sweeping clemency drew polarized reactions. Critics pointed out that the pardons do not grant blanket immunity. Legal experts noted that while they shield recipients from prosecution for past offenses, they do not exempt them from testifying under oath if subpoenaed by a Republican-controlled Congress. Jesse Binnall, a Trump ally and legal commentator, framed the pardons as both a shield and a potential liability.
“The pardons are actually great news,” Binnall posted on X, formerly Twitter. “No one who was just pardoned can refuse to testify in civil, criminal, or congressional proceedings based on the 5th Amendment.” However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring fair trials outside Washington, D.C., which he criticized as a “biased venue.”
Debate over venue fairness gained traction among conservative voices. Retired U.S. Army officer and attorney Kurt Schlichter advocated for relocating depositions and testimonies to neutral jurisdictions, arguing that Washington’s judicial system favors liberal outcomes.
Continue reading on next page…