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Biden’s Final Pardons vs. Trump’s… The Truth

May 30, 2025
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May 30, 2025 09:00 AM PST

(PenniesToSave.com) – Presidential pardons remain one of the most powerful and controversial tools available to any commander in chief. Originally intended to correct injustice and offer mercy, the modern use of pardons often reveals deeper truths about an administration’s values. In today’s divided political environment, how presidents exercise this authority speaks volumes to the American people. With President Donald J. Trump now serving a second term and having just issued several high-profile pardons, many are comparing his use of clemency with that of former President Joe Biden. The contrast is telling and offers important lessons about justice, fairness, and accountability in America today.

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What Is the Purpose of Presidential Pardons?

The Constitution grants the president the power to pardon federal offenses. The original purpose was to correct injustices, show mercy, and help unify the country after divisive events. Throughout history, presidents have used pardons in a variety of ways. Some granted clemency to promote healing. Others focused on correcting excessive sentences.

However, in recent decades, this power has also been used in ways that raise questions. Presidents of both parties have faced criticism for using pardons to shield political allies or protect family members. As a result, Americans increasingly view this power as one that can be misused. The recent pardons issued by Presidents Trump and Biden illustrate this growing concern and offer a chance to reflect on how this authority should be used going forward.

Who Did President Trump Pardon?

President Trump’s approach to pardons in his second term has been bold and transparent. In January 2025, shortly after returning to the White House, he fulfilled a key campaign promise by issuing pardons to more than 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol protests. Trump argued that many of these defendants were victims of politically motivated prosecutions. A large portion of the country agreed, seeing these pardons as a necessary correction to an increasingly partisan justice system.

Several cases highlighted why these prosecutions were seen as excessive. One of the most tragic involved Matthew Perna, a 37-year-old Pennsylvanian who entered the Capitol peacefully. Prosecutors sought to impose extreme penalties under “terror enhancement” laws. Facing years in prison, Perna took his own life before sentencing. Many blamed the Department of Justice for pushing him to that point.

Another case involved Dorothy A. Dowling, a 72-year-old grandmother who was sentenced to 45 days in jail for walking inside the Capitol. She committed no acts of violence, yet was prosecuted harshly. Additionally, many nonviolent protesters were charged with felony obstruction of an official proceeding, a law that was originally intended for evidence tampering, not political protest.

Beyond January 6 cases, Trump also pardoned others whom many viewed as victims of prosecutorial overreach. These included Todd and Julie Chrisley, NBA YoungBoy, Larry Hoover, Michael Grimm, John Rowland, and Ross Ulbricht. He also pardoned numerous pro-life activists convicted under the FACE Act, which many conservatives believe is used selectively against their movement.

Critics in the media accused Trump of playing politics, but many Americans saw these pardons as an effort to restore fairness to a justice system that had become deeply politicized.

Who Did President Biden Pardon?

In contrast, President Biden’s final months in office were marked by a sweeping wave of pardons that left many Americans concerned about political favoritism and a lack of accountability. Perhaps the most controversial was Biden’s preemptive pardon of Dr. Anthony Fauci. Fauci had faced growing public criticism over his role in pandemic policy and funding decisions. By pardoning Fauci before any charges had even been filed, Biden appeared to shield a key figure from future investigations expected under the incoming Trump administration.

Biden’s pardons also included his brothers James and Frank Biden, his sister Valerie Biden Owens, and their spouses. Critics viewed these pardons as blatant acts of self-protection for the Biden family. The president also pardoned several individuals tied to tax investigations surrounding Hunter Biden.

In addition to family and political allies, Biden pardoned numerous Democratic donors and operatives. Although many of these acts were framed as part of his criminal justice reform agenda, the timing and selection of recipients told a different story to many observers.

Biden did also pardon thousands of federal drug offenders, which was consistent with his stated goal of reducing nonviolent incarceration. However, for many Americans, these more positive actions were overshadowed by the perception that Biden used his final hours in office to protect his own inner circle.

How Do the Two Presidents’ Pardons Compare?

The differences between President Trump’s and President Biden’s pardon records are striking. Trump focused on cases of political persecution and government overreach. Many of his pardons were granted to individuals with no personal connection to him, and they aligned with broader conservative causes, such as correcting excessive sentencing or protecting the rights of protesters.

Biden’s pardons, in contrast, were viewed by many as an attempt to shield political allies and family members from accountability. The preemptive pardon of Dr. Fauci, in particular, raised serious concerns about transparency and fairness. The decision to pardon close family members also fed the perception that powerful political families operate under a different set of rules.

Media coverage further highlighted this divide. Trump’s pardons were met with wall-to-wall outrage from mainstream outlets, while Biden’s highly questionable pardons received far less critical attention.

For many Americans, the comparison is simple. One president used pardons to fight back against political weaponization of the justice system. The other appeared to use them to protect his own political network.

What Does This Say About the State of American Justice?

These contrasting pardon records reflect a troubling trend in American justice. Increasingly, citizens believe that political insiders enjoy privileges that ordinary Americans do not. The unequal application of the law undermines public trust in government and in the fairness of the legal system.

Trump’s pardons were a response to this trend. They were viewed by his supporters as an effort to stand up for citizens targeted because of their political views. Biden’s pardons, on the other hand, seemed to confirm fears about the double standards that protect political elites.

The broader message to the American people is concerning. When presidents use the pardon power to protect family members or preempt investigations, it reinforces the idea that the system is rigged in favor of the powerful. Restoring faith in justice will require greater transparency and a renewed commitment to fairness.

What Does It Mean for the Average American?

For the average American, the recent use of presidential pardons sends a powerful message about fairness and accountability. Many citizens watched in disbelief as January 6 protesters faced harsh charges and years in prison while politically connected elites appeared to escape scrutiny.

Trump’s pardons were seen by many as a necessary correction, a signal that someone in Washington was willing to challenge the two-tiered justice system. In contrast, Biden’s final pardons fed public cynicism. The notion that the president’s own family could receive special protection was deeply troubling to many voters.

Ultimately, how presidents use the pardon power affects more than just the individuals involved. It shapes public confidence in the rule of law. If this power is used responsibly and transparently, it can restore trust. If it is abused for political convenience, it only deepens the divide between the governing class and the citizens they are supposed to serve.

Final Thoughts

The pardon records of Presidents Trump and Biden reveal two very different approaches to justice and accountability. Trump used his authority to correct what many viewed as political persecution and government overreach. Biden’s use of pardons, particularly to protect family members and political allies, appeared to many Americans as a blatant abuse of power.

As President Trump continues his second term, his willingness to confront the political weaponization of the justice system remains a central issue. Many Americans see his recent pardons as part of a broader effort to restore fairness and protect the rights of everyday citizens.

The contrast with Biden’s final-term pardons could not be more clear. The American people deserve a justice system that treats all citizens equally, not one that favors the well-connected. How future presidents wield this power will remain an important test of their commitment to that principle.

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