Controversy struck President Joe Biden when he pardoned his son, Hunter, this month. Less than two weeks later, Biden made history commuting 1,500 people’s sentences and pardoning 39 non-violent convicts in a single day. Now, all eyes are on the Biden Administration to see what he’ll do next before his time runs out in the Oval Office, and this Black leader is urging him to do the unthinkable for the sake of the country.
S. C. Rep. Jim Clyburn spoke with MSNBC’s “The Saturday Show” with Jonathan Capehart and told the host he hopes Biden will “pardon all of those people that have been accused and have been targeted so that we can clean the slate and have an air of possibilities for the future,” Clyburn said.
On his list of “accused” and “targeted” people is President-to-be Trump. “If we keep digging up things of the past, I’m not too sure the country would not lose its way,” Clyburn continued.
Trump was convicted on 34 felony charges in May connected to his hush money scandal. His New York sentencing was originally scheduled for Sept. 18 but was then delayed until Nov. 26. Now that Trump is returning to the White House, a judge announced his sentencing will be delayed indefinitely, according to PBS.
Let’s not forget, The U.S. Supreme Court gave Trump immunity earlier this year. And, with his sentencing already delayed, there’s not much to suggest a formal pardon from Biden will have any real effect on the future Republican president.
If nothing else, Rep. Clyburn said Biden using his power to pardon Trump will send a message. “Biden would be demonstrating what he’s always demonstrated to me— that he loves this country more than anything else, other than his family,” Clyburn told MSNBC.
Biden has promised to take “more steps in the weeks ahead” before his final six weeks is up. Although he has yet to announce upcoming plans, many White House insiders suggest he will continue giving pardons to non-violent convicts.