Trump’s Pardons: Mercy for the Wicked, a Middle Finger to Justice

When the Framers of the Constitution debated clemency, they saw it as a noble tool to correct injustices and promote healing. What they didn’t foresee was a president treating it like his personal rewards program for loyalty points. Trump’s pardons are less about mercy and more about mafia-style power plays. And yes, America, we let it happen because, somehow, a significant chunk of voters thought the guy who bankrupted a casino was the perfect choice to run the country.

Two of the Worst: January 6th and Silk Road

Let’s start with the January 6th rioters aka insurrectionists. These are the people who smeared feces in the Capitol, looted offices, and screamed about “stopping the steal” while carrying zip ties to tie up targeted members of Congress. People died in that attack, but Trump—the self-proclaimed “law and order” president—decided these folks deserved a free pass. Why? Because their crimes were in his name. And let’s not forget, these are the same people who bragged about their actions on Facebook. Apparently, treason and stupidity go hand in hand.

Trump’s decision to pardon the insurrectionists isn’t just outrageous; it’s dangerous. It tells his supporters that as long as they’re loyal to him, they can commit atrocities without fear of consequence. The man who once screeched “law and order” at every rally is now giving literal domestic terrorists a hall pass. Why? Because they built gallows for Mike Pence but not for him.

Now onto Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road. Imagine eBay, but for crime—drugs, illegal weapons, counterfeit IDs, malware. Silk Road was essentially an app store for breaking the law, and Ulbricht was raking in millions while claiming to be a free-market visionary. Sure, life sentences can seem harsh, but when you build a platform that enables untold suffering, it’s what you get.

Enter Trump. Libertarian groups, desperate to stay relevant, lobbied for Ulbricht’s clemency, calling his sentence “unfair.” And Trump, ever the sucker for anyone willing to kiss the ring, obliged. Because what’s a little worldwide drug trafficking when you can score political points with the “government bad, Bitcoin good” crowd?

Clemency as a Power Play

Historically, clemency has been controversial, but it’s usually tethered to some greater good. Ford pardoned Nixon to help the country heal. Carter granted amnesty to Vietnam draft dodgers in the name of unity. Obama commuted nonviolent drug sentences to address systemic inequities. Even Clinton’s eyebrow-raising pardon had at least the thinnest veneer of logic.

Trump? His pardons are transactional, not transformative. Did you storm the Capitol? Great, here’s your pardon. Did you create a dark web marketplace for fentanyl? No problem, you’ve got my blessing. And let’s not forget his blatant message to his allies: “Stick with me and you’ll never face consequences.”

It’s almost impressive in its brazenness, like pardoning is just another business deal for a guy who thinks branding steaks is a genius idea.

A Nation Complicit in the Circus

Let’s pause for a moment and ask: how did we get here? Oh, yeah. Right. Millions of Americans thought putting a flakey reality TV star in charge of nuclear codes was a good idea. We handed the keys to the country to a man whose most notable skills include firing people on camera and eating McDonald’s. Trump didn’t rise to power on his own; he was lifted there by a populace that prioritizes spectacle over substance.

And here’s the kicker: many of these voters will applaud his abuse of clemency as “sticking it to the establishment,” ignoring the fact that it’s an assault on democracy itself. This isn’t “draining the swamp.” It’s filling it with sycophants and criminals.

Why This Matters

When clemency is reduced to a political tool, it undermines justice and emboldens bad actors. Trump’s use of this power tells the country—and the world—that loyalty to him outweighs the law. It cheapens the presidency, erodes trust in the justice system, and sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations.

And let’s be real: it’s not just Trump. The fact that his actions resonate with so many Americans points to a deeper problem. Somewhere along the line, we became a country that values bravado over integrity, entertainment over ethics.

Final Thoughts

Clemency should be a tool of justice, not a weapon of corruption. Trump’s approach—rewarding criminals who serve his interests—doesn’t just abuse executive power; it mocks the very idea of accountability. If Alexander Hamilton could see this, he’d be furiously drafting a constitutional amendment from the afterlife.

But hey, maybe this is what we deserve for electing a man whose business plan is “slap the Trump name on it and hope for the best.” So the next time you’re wondering how we ended up with a president who pardons insurrectionists and drug lords, remember: it wasn’t just him. It was us.