I guess you heard that Biden is contemplating giving out pardons to government workers and others whom the president-elect has threatened with prosecution and jail time: their crime, doing their jobs, following the law and not caving in to the MAGA crowd. Above all, apparently, they are suspected of not being loyal to the incoming president. Many, of course, are high profile public servants or politicians such as former Congresswoman Lynn Cheney or Special Counsel Jack Smith, their crime, investigating the January 6 insurrection at the Capital.
One reader suggested that I might want to pursue a pardon considering all the nasty things I’ve written about Donald Trump since 2016. Looking back, I have been critical and, on occasion, written some rather scathing comments about Trump and his MAGA acolytes. I’m guilty as charged, but, as I see it, someone in my neighborhood had to do it. After all, Trump’s track record is littered with nastiness, favoritism, cronyism and mendacity as president. He used his position to enrich himself and his family, grievously ignored and mishandled the pandemic resulting in untold American deaths, obsequiously befriended tyrants such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un and repeatedly tried to circumvent constitutional law and democratic traditions.
It should be no surprise that Trump’s actions led to two impeachments, the second a result of his failed attempt to stay in office by fomenting the Capital resurrection of January 6, 2020.
I will not seek a pardon, but then, I don’t believe the president-elect knows me or has read any of my scribblings about him. Anyway, why would I or anyone who has spoken out against Trump want a pardon for doing the right thing by calling out his self-serving and authoritarian behavior? Accepting a pardon would be accepting guilt, wouldn’t it? Clearly Donald Trump is the most unfit president ever in spite of any largesse on his part.
No pardon for me. I’ll take my chances.
You’re safe, Panch. But Liz Chaney and scores of others aren’t. Why should they, who have done the right thing, have to endure Trump’s egomaniacal vindictiveness, including the time, stress, and expense when the January 6th deluded “patriots” receive a pardon? Accepting Biden’s pardon in these circumstances is rational and justified. In the unlikely event that Trump or his minions come after you, I wonder if you wouldn’t regret that you had stood on a principle that doesn’t hold with someone like Trump at the helm. (But if it comes to it, I’ll pitch in toward your legal bills and no t say “Told you so!”)
Hurrah for your blog.
You make a good point about standing on principle when dealing with someone like Trump who is amoral and without scruples. But might it not be better for someone like Cheney who obviously has the cojones and presumptive resources to stand up and force a trial to showcase yet again the illegal and unconstitutional machinations of Trump? I say never let the attack on the Capital recede from the popular mind.
No pardon for me.
Sure. I can see someone like Cheney doing it. She’s heroic and well-healed. But I can’t agree with: why would I or anyone who has spoken out against Trump want a pardon for doing the right thing…?