It has been a long tradition in America for presidents to grant pardons for those convicted of various crimes. This is one of the most broad sweeping powers granted to a president by the U.S. Constitution.

Usually, presidents do pardons on the morning of Jan. 20 as their term expires at noon. Kentucky governors have the same power and often grant pardons on Thanksgiving or their final day in office. Usually in Kentucky, it’s not overly abused except by Matt Bevin.

President Joe Biden should put on his list two pardons. One is his son, Hunter Biden, and the other is Donald Trump. Hunter Biden was convicted of three tax felonies and six misdemeanor tax issues.

Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in New York State and faces federal investigations of campaign-related charges. Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in New York this week. Who thinks a sitting state judge will sentence a president-elect to prison? We don’t think so, but 2024 was a year for historians to look back on with amazement.

President Gerald Ford pardoned his predecessor, Richard Nixon. He argued such a pardon would heal the nation from the Watergate saga which contributed to Nixon’s downfall.

Will putting Hunter Biden or Donald Trump in prison make you feel safer in your home at night? Even if you’re an anti-Trumper, there’s nothing in the Constitution that would keep him from governing from a prison camp like the one in Summit.

President Biden’s long and consequential political career will end at noon on Jan. 20. He’ll head back to his beloved Delaware. He should give strong consideration to granting pardons to both men, because he can.

With The Commonwealth Journal