Well, here’s a twist no one saw coming: Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, has decided to add a little spice to the political circus by suggesting that President Joe Biden should pardon Donald Trump. Yes, you heard that right. In the wake of Biden’s controversial decision to pardon his own son, Hunter, for a host of alleged federal crimes, Fetterman has gone full Wild West and proposed a clean slate for Trump. If you’re confused, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
Let’s recap. Biden, in a move that’s being called everything from nepotistic to downright outrageous, issued a sweeping pardon for Hunter Biden just days ago. It covers any federal crimes Hunter might have committed from 2014 onward—conveniently erasing everything from his tax troubles to potential legal fallout from those infamous laptop files. This, of course, has thrown both sides of the political aisle into a frenzy. Republicans are calling it a cover-up, while Democrats are, well, a little quieter than usual.
Enter Fetterman. In what can only be described as a bold, albeit slightly bizarre, move, he’s arguing that Biden should extend the olive branch to Trump as well. According to Fetterman, both Hunter’s and Trump’s legal troubles are “politically motivated,” and pardoning Trump would be a step toward healing the nation’s deep political divides. It’s an interesting take, to say the least, though it’s hard to ignore the underlying irony. After all, Fetterman belongs to a party that has spent the better part of six years making Trump’s life as difficult as humanly possible.
But let’s not dismiss this outright. There’s a certain logic to Fetterman’s proposal, even if it’s laced with the kind of idealism that rarely survives the Washington swamp. If Biden were to pardon Trump, it would force Democrats to reckon with the precedent they’ve set. After all, if Hunter deserves forgiveness for his myriad legal woes, why not extend that same courtesy to Trump? And let’s not forget: Trump’s legal battles, while numerous, have often been the result of endless investigations and grandstanding by political opponents.
Of course, this idea has about as much chance of happening as pigs sprouting wings and flying over the White House. Biden pardoning Trump would require a level of humility and statesmanship that’s been sorely lacking in this administration. Plus, the backlash from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party would be seismic. Imagine explaining to the “squad” why their party leader just let the man they’ve demonized for years off the hook. It’s a political minefield, and Biden doesn’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to navigating those.
Then there’s the broader issue of what this all says about our justice system. By pardoning Hunter, Biden has essentially sent a message that there’s one set of rules for the powerful and well-connected, and another for everyone else. Adding Trump to the pardon list might balance the scales slightly, but it doesn’t change the fact that the system itself is deeply broken. When politicians can so blatantly use pardons to protect their own or score political points, it’s hard not to feel like the whole thing is a bit of a sham.
And let’s be honest: the real winners here are the pundits, commentators, and late-night hosts who now have enough material to last them until the next election cycle. Fetterman’s suggestion is the kind of headline-grabbing idea that keeps the news cycle spinning and the Twitter mobs engaged. But for the average American—struggling with inflation, rising crime, and a general sense that the country is headed in the wrong direction—it’s just another distraction from the issues that actually matter.
So, what’s the takeaway from all this? Fetterman’s call to pardon Trump is bold, unconventional, and maybe even a little noble. But in today’s hyper-partisan climate, it’s also wildly unrealistic. Still, it raises some important questions about fairness, accountability, and the state of our democracy. Whether or not Biden will listen is another matter entirely. For now, though, we can all sit back and watch as this latest chapter in America’s political soap opera unfolds. One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a wild ride.
