Biden Should Pardon Trump On His Way Out: Op-Ed
Last week, the executive editor of the National Review published a column urging President Joe Biden to take the extraordinary step of pardoning now-President-elect Donald Trump, just a day after Trump’s decisive victory.
While Biden did extend an invitation to Trump, who visited the White House on Wednesday morning, the possibility of a pardon remains uncertain.
“Biden should … use his constitutional authority to pardon Donald Trump of all pending federal charges and relieve special counsel Jack Smith of his duties,” wrote Mark Antonio Wright. “Additionally, he should call on New York Governor Kathy Hochul to use her authority to pardon Trump for his convictions in New York State.”
Wright acknowledged Trump’s responsibility for the charges and convictions against him but argued that Trump’s electoral victory represents a clear mandate from the American people.
“Wise or not, a majority of the public chose to reelect Donald Trump as the next president of the United States. He deserves to begin his term in January 2025 with a clean slate, free from the controversies of the past,” Wright asserted.
He further cautioned against Trump entering office under the weight of ongoing legal battles. “No good at all will come of an American president fulfilling his constitutional duties at home and abroad under the cloud of pending criminal prosecutions. Similarly, no good will come from Trump himself ordering the Justice Department to drop the charges or crossing the Rubicon by attempting a ‘self-pardon,’” he said.
Wright argued that a Biden-issued pardon would be an act of statesmanship, similar to Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon. “Joe Biden has not often acted as a statesman during his presidency. However, pardoning Donald Trump would be a statesmanlike gesture. Such an act could help end the cycle of politically motivated legal battles that, if left unchecked, will further harm the nation’s political fabric,” he explained.
“Donald Trump should accept such a pardon if offered by Joe Biden,” Wright added, calling on Trump to reciprocate with a rhetorical olive branch toward the outgoing president.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Special Counsel Jack Smith is preparing to step down after wrapping up his cases against Trump.
According to CNN, Smith is in discussions with Justice Department leadership about winding down the January 6 investigation and addressing the appeal of U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon’s ruling, which dismissed his classified documents case.
“Trump has threatened to fire Smith, but Smith expects to be gone before Trump takes office,” CNN reported.
The discussions reportedly extend beyond Trump’s cases to include the future of other defendants, the special counsel’s office, and its budget and personnel. Smith is required to submit a final report to Attorney General Merrick Garland, who will decide whether any part of it will be released to the public.
Smith is reportedly working to complete the report before Trump’s inauguration. However, the timeline could be influenced by intelligence community reviews, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Before stepping down, Smith must resolve the two criminal cases he brought against Trump. In Florida, Smith is appealing Cannon’s dismissal of the classified documents case, which ruled his appointment and office funding were unconstitutional. In Washington, D.C., his team is advancing the criminal case accusing Trump of orchestrating a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election, following the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity.