Presidential Pardons

This letter to the editor, by Cheri Evjen, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on January 30, 2025.

Americans need to understand the differences between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump when it comes to presidential pardons. President Biden, driven largely by Trump’s promise of retribution against political enemies, pardoned several people who have not broken any laws.

Gen. Mark Milley served our nation with distinction for nearly 50 years. Trump proclaimed him guilty of treason without a shred of evidence and suggested execution was an appropriate sentence.

Dr. Anthony Fauci was the only voice of reason in the first Trump administration regarding COVID-19. When Trump first dismissed and then ignored the outbreak, Fauci fought to keep the focus on the dangers posed by the virus. Republicans Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger put the country over party by investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 violence. The entire Jan. 6 committee, their staff and witnesses, most of whom served in Trump’s first term, have all been threatened with politically motivated charges.

The fact that Biden issued pardons to protect them from persecution and prosecution should anger and alarm all Americans who care about the rule of law.

Trump issued blanket pardons for more than 1,500 people convicted of or pleading guilty to crimes stemming from their attack on the Capitol in 2020. They all received due process and had a chance to present a defense. These were not political prisoners. They were rioters responsible for the deaths of five police officers and serious injuries to 140 others.

Most Americans believe arresting criminals and punishing those convicted will help reduce crime. Trump’s approach is to free mobs of supporters willing to use violence in service to their leader. Americans who care about law and order must call out Trump’s abuse of the pardoning power.