Pardons and Controversies Surrounding Biden

Democrat strategist Jessica Tarloff stated on Fox News’ “The Five” that former President Joe Biden should have followed the appropriate channels within the Justice Department when issuing a recent pardon.

Just before his inauguration in January, Biden granted a slew of pardons, which sparked debate, involving nearly 1,500 individuals. Fox’s Greg Gutfeld questioned how Democrats could stay aligned with the party if they felt betrayed by the president. “I think some people might feel that way, and those who typically vote for Democrats could choose to support Trump in 2024,” Tarloff remarked. “But at the end of the day, people think this situation is a bit different from Donald Trump. It’s not just about personal loyalty; it’s about policy preferences. Democrats have more favorable policies than Republicans.”

“Last-minute pardons for personal reasons are something every president does. President Trump definitely took it further,” she added.

In December 2024, Biden reportedly pardoned nearly 1,500 individuals, which included several notable Democratic figures and public officials convicted of corruption. Prominent individuals like Hunter Biden and General Mark A. Milley also received pardons.

Amid ongoing questions about his mental acuity, it emerged in July that Biden had permitted the use of autopens for signing off on certain pardons. He mentioned that decisions had been largely made by his staff, directing them to handle numerous cases with leniency.

Watters highlighted Biden’s decision to pardon a “crack dealer,” noting that nearly 1,500 individuals were granted leniency.

“I’m differentiating between personal pardons and broader conflicts. Many didn’t go through the proper DOJ channels, and even allies like Senator Blumenthal expressed concern, saying, ‘Some of these should not have happened,’” Tarloff explained.

“There seems to be a distinction between state convictions versus federal allegations. For example, someone might have had a cocaine charge, but had also committed more severe crimes,” she continued, emphasizing the need for thorough review, especially for those involved in the January 6th incident.

New inquiries regarding Biden’s mental fitness have arisen, spurred by a recent book authored by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson. Biden asserted that he had personally approved the pardons, but internal documents indicated some responsibilities were quietly passed to others, including former Vice President Kamala Harris.