Pardon Me

...and a decision that has shocked many of my colleagues

Pardons have been flying from the White Houe more than swear words during my home improvement projects. And unlike my remodeling “skills,” those presidential pardons could set precedents for administrations in the future.

Photo by Susan Q Yin on Unsplash

Pardon Priority — On his first day returning to the White House as president, Donald Trump pardoned his supporters who had been convicted of federal crimes that they committed on January 6, 2021, in one of the most disturbing attacks on our country —by our own people — in modern history.

His pardons of more than 1,500 of his criminal fanatics set the tone for the priorities of his second administration.

The pardons don’t make their criminal records disappear. The pardons also don’t make the emotional, psychological, or physical damage they did to the more than 100 law enforcement officers who were tased, beaten, clubbed, bear sprayed, and pummeled on January 6, 2021.

They also don’t take away the pain of the officers’ family members who have to live with the nightmares from what happened that day or the heartache for those who later saw their loved ones die.

Here is a story from the New York Times on what it was like for assaulted officers and their families as they received notices one by one that their attackers would go free.

The presidential pardons do free from prison Trump’s supporters who committed crimes following his “Stop the Steal” rally, and the pardons forgive remaining punishments.

Pardoning the “Patriots” — Trump has called those who committed crimes — most did not commit violent acts — “patriots” and “hostages.”

Were those who looted and vandalized during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement and racial justice tensions — those who were prosecuted for their crimes — also patriots and hostages if their passions led them to their actions?

The Question — Is it possible that our society…and our elected officials…can condemn violence and destruction by all who commit it, not just those who reflect our political tribalistic instincts?

Here is my TV story about the person who is likely the most prominent Iowa face of the January 6th crowd who is now among those pardoned by the president.

Pardons, Part 2 — The outgoing president, Joe Biden, put his pardon pen to work, as well, with his highest profile reprieves focused on additional family members.

Biden previously pardoned his son, Hunter, after saying that he would not do that.

Remember when he pledged to Americans last June that he would abide by the jury’s decision into his son’s tax and weapons crimes?

Papa’s pardon goes beyond that federal investigation; the blanket pardon covers Hunter’s actions from 2014-2024.

Biden also issued pardons on his final day in office for his two brothers, their spouses, and his sister.

Pre-Emptive Pardons — What was unusual about those new actions was that they were pre-emptive pardons. Family members now have federal protection in case Trump’s administration targets them.

Yes, Trump has talked about retribution. That could be a wild card factor in this scenario.

But should Biden have taken this action to stretch the boundaries of the powers of the presidency?

How will current and future presidents now view the use of pardons in light of these acts?

The Fallout — Regardless of the reasons given by Trump and Biden, this could potentially further erode the trust that the public has in politicians and whether they are looking out for their own political best interests.

Pardon Peril — Constitutional scholars in this article from Politico weigh in on how these presidential pardons could impact the future.

Inside Iowa Politics — Apologies that I’m late in posting my latest TV show. We had a very important ninth birthday party to celebrate this week!

(My daughter, Lyla, and the birthday cake that she helped create. Dogs are her favorite creatures. She wanted each one to have a treat to enjoy out in the “grass.”)

On the latest “Inside Iowa Politics” we talked with the Iowa legislator who proposed the idea of the state buying nine southern Minnesota counties. Is this a legit idea? Watch our conversation and decide for yourself.

And here is my TV story on three things that Midwesterners can watch now that Trump is back in the White House.

Top 3 — I started a new segment that looks at three political stories impacting Iowa. The start of the new Iowa legislative session got this one going.

Watch that here.

Iowa Down Ballot — Our group of independent contributors from the Iowa Writers Collaborative gather every other week to share our insights into what is happening in the Iowa Legislature.

Here is the latest episode of “Iowa Down Ballot.”

Thanks for supporting the Iowa Writers Collaborative. You can check out the latest columns from other members of the group here.

One final thought on a development that shocked a lot of my friends in local television.