Pardons issued by Biden, Trump prompt clashing claims of hypocrisy

Biden Backlash

Because of what Biden called "exceptional circumstances" and fears of politically-motivated prosecutions, he issued pardons for former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the January 6th investigation panel, and more members of his own family.

In a statement, state GOP Sen. Chris McDaniel called the move a "disgraceful abuse of executive power, an "affront to justice," and a "betrayal of the American people."

McDaniel continued: "Kentucky cannot address the abuse of presidential powers, but we can take meaningful steps to strengthen trust in our executive branch powers. My proposed constitutional amendment, Senate Bill 126, would ensure Kentucky governors remain accountable by prohibiting pardons and commutations during the critical period before and immediately after an election."

Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, Sen. Rand Paul blasted the decision to shield Fauci, posting that it "seals the deal" on who bears the blame for the COVID pandemic.

Paul also vowed to continue probing the origins of the outbreak, saying, "As Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee I will not rest until the entire truth of the coverup is exposed."

Democrats have questioned the wisdom of Biden's pardons as well. Even Biden himself worried aloud in a 2020 interview with CNN about that the idea of an outgoing president pardoning family.

“It concerns me, in terms of what kind of precedent it sets and how the rest of the world looks at us as a nation of laws and justice,” Biden said then. “Now, in terms of the pardons, you’re not going to see, in our administration, that kind of approach.”

Trump Takes the Pen

In the case of Trump's sweeping January 6th-related pardons and commutations, the majority party in Frankfort and Washington has given far fewer signals.

The Republican Party of Kentucky stopped short of offering an opinion on the move, instead telling WUKY, "Nobody should be surprised by these pardons because it was a campaign promise that President Trump has firmly stood behind since announcing his candidacy."

During the 2024 legislative session, Kentucky Sen. Lindsey Tichenor filed a resolution acknowledging the events of January, and recognizing "those citizens who have been wrongfully held without due process.”

Following the actions by Biden and Trump, former Kentucky Republican Sen. Whitney Westerfield agreed with a post on X saying both sets of pardons should be condemned.

Sen. Mitch McConnell hasn't released a statement on the January 6th pardons, but gave this answer when asked about the idea in 2022: "My view is I would not be in favor of shortening any of the sentences for any of the people who pleaded guilty to crimes."

McConnell's successor in the top GOP leadership perch in the Senate, John Thune (R-S.D.), steered the question back to the former president, telling The Hill, "We said all along that Biden opened the door on this."

As for critics in Trump's party, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) appears to be among the first to go on record clearly opposing the Trump pardons. "The police officers could potentially be assaulted and there's no consequence. It's pretty straightforward to me," he told CNN.

Tillis added that he believes the pardons raise a "significant safety question" on Capitol Hill.

Andy Westberry, Communications Director for the Republican Party of Kentucky released the following statement on Tuesday regarding President Trump's J6 pardons:

“Nobody should be surprised by these pardons because it was a campaign promise that President Trump has firmly stood behind since announcing his candidacy.”