What Next | Daily News and Analysis Pardon Me, Mr. President
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Dec 3, 2025 Benjamin Wallace-Wells, a staff writer at The New Yorker, dives into the controversial world of presidential pardons, focusing on Donald Trump's choices. He discusses how Trump’s pardons are often politically motivated and far bolder than those of previous presidents. The conversation highlights the implications of pardoning wealthy associates and foreign figures, the significant financial costs involved, and the growing culture of immunity in Washington. Wallace-Wells even weighs in on the political ramifications of notable omissions, revealing a landscape where connections often dictate clemency.
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Pardons As Transactional Rewards
- Benjamin Wallace-Wells says Trump's pardons are unusually transactional and brazen compared with past presidents.
- The administration rewarded personal connections even when those ties failed in court.
Breaking The End-of-Term Pardoning Norm
- Wallace-Wells notes most controversial pardons usually occur after a president leaves office.
- Trump's early and abundant pardons break that historical pattern and signal a different norm.
Three Categories Of Pardoned People
- Benjamin Wallace-Wells groups Trump's pardons into political allies, wealthy friends, and connected foreigners.
- Many pardons erased restitution and fines owed to victims, favoring the rich and connected.