Preemptive Pardons and the Price of Public Service

The Safeguards We Never Thought We’d Need

In a move that underscores the depths to which our political discourse and governance have sunk, President Biden recently issued preemptive pardons to individuals like Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and members of the January 6th Committee. These pardons—an extraordinary measure—were unthinkable in any pre-Trump era. Yet here we are, in a time when protecting dedicated public servants from the potential retribution of a vengeful maniac is deemed not only necessary but prudent.

Dr. Fauci, the face of the U.S. pandemic response, became a target of unrelenting vilification for simply doing his job. General Milley, a decorated military leader, found himself in the crosshairs of MAGA loyalists for acting in the nation’s best interest during Trump’s chaotic tenure. And the members of the January 6th Committee, who dared to investigate the truth behind one of the darkest days in American democracy, became scapegoats for daring to hold power accountable. The need for preemptive pardons speaks volumes about the toxic climate created by Trump and his enablers.

Consider what this means for America’s trajectory. Pardons, traditionally a mechanism of mercy, have become shields for individuals targeted by a political vendetta. It’s a grim reflection of the country’s devolution—one where public service is a risk, not a calling. These pardons are not an indictment of the individuals but of the system that makes them necessary.

Simultaneously, CNN’s leadership is reportedly mulling over the fate of one of their most prominent journalists, Jim Acosta. His crime? He consistently speaks truth to power, even when that truth means pissing off Trump. The mere consideration of sidelining Acosta to placate the whims of a man who has openly attacked the press as the “enemy of the people” reveals a troubling trend. If a free press can be cowed into submission, then what remains of the First Amendment?

Jim getting under Trump’s skin

The tech world fares no better. Oligarchs like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg pay lip service to free speech while curating platforms that often amplify disinformation and suppress dissent. Musk’s Twitter and Zuckerberg’s Facebook, far from being bastions of the First Amendment, have become tools of chaos and division. They defend “free speech” only when it aligns with their interests or doesn’t threaten their bottom lines. Their selective advocacy highlights the hollowness of their supposed commitment to democratic principles.

Biden’s preemptive pardons are both a safeguard and a lament—a safeguard against the reality that Trump now wields power again, and a lament for a democracy that requires such measures. With Trump now taking the oath of office, the pardons may soon become a flashpoint. Would he dare attempt to prosecute those already absolved? The legality is murky, but the audacity would be unsurprising. We should never underestimate the man’s depravity.

This is the America we’ve built. Public servants require legal protection to do their jobs. Journalists risk their careers to report the truth. Social media magnates co-opt the First Amendment while undermining it. These realities demand reflection—and action. I know we're all weary of the endless shitshow, and it’s easy to become numb to it all. The path forward must involve reclaiming the integrity of our institutions, protecting those who serve the public good, and holding those who threaten democracy accountable.

Thanks for reading, and please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Also, be sure to check out my Cultural Scavenger podcasts included in my Substack offerings. You’ll find a bit of respite there!