In a surprising move, Biden pardons Bennie Thompson and others ahead of Trump’s inauguration, aiming to protect them from potential legal threats.
Jackson: So, Biden made a big move just before Trump’s inauguration. He announced some pardons early Monday morning, right? It was all about protecting folks who might face legal trouble from Trump’s administration.
He dropped the news at 6:10 a.m. Mississippi time, which was the same day Trump was getting sworn in again. Among those pardoned was Bennie Thompson, who led the January 6 Select Committee. Even though he wasn’t named directly, it was clear he was included.
Biden said that January 6 was a serious test for American democracy. He pointed out how a mob tried to overturn the election results. So, Congress set up that committee to dig into what happened that day.
Thompson and the committee did their job with integrity, but Biden noted that some people were trying to intimidate them for it. He emphasized that these public servants shouldn’t be targets of unfair prosecutions.
Thompson, along with Liz Cheney, released a statement saying they were pardoned for upholding the law, not breaking it. Biden also mentioned that he trusts public servants who work hard for democracy and shouldn’t face threats for doing their jobs.
He also pardoned General Milley and Dr. Fauci, saying he believes in the rule of law. But he felt he had to act because these investigations can really mess up people’s lives, even if they haven’t done anything wrong.
Thompson and Cheney called the situation “extraordinary,” saying it’s wild that public servants need pardons just for doing their jobs and exposing the truth about the election aftermath.
It’s a pretty intense situation, and it shows just how heated things are in politics right now.
