President Biden on the pardons: "These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing."
"Even when individuals have done nothing wrong … and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances."— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1.bsky.social) January 20, 2025 at 7:20 AM
I may be overlapping on an earlier MisterMix post here, but for the record…
President Biden: "My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me—the worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end."
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1.bsky.social) January 20, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Why this was necessary:
General Mark Milley accepts President Biden’s pardon, per @ckubeNBC
“I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights,” he wrote in a statement
— Gary Grumbach (@GaryGrumbach) January 20, 2025
Eight hours later…
The portrait of retired General Mark Milley, who served as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to 2023 was removed from the Pentagon today, shortly after Trump took office.
— Molly Ploofkins™ (@mollyploofkins.bsky.social) January 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Dr. Fauci: "I have committed no crime … The fact is, however, that the mere articulation of baseless threats, and the potential that they will be acted upon, create immeasurable and intolerable distress for me and my family … I acknowledge and appreciate the action that Pres. Biden has taken."
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1.bsky.social) January 20, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Ex-Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn: "I'm eternally grateful to Pres. Joe Biden, not just for this preemptive pardon, but for his leadership and service … I wish this pardon weren't necessary, but unfortunately, the political climate we are in now has made the need for one somewhat of a reality."
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1.bsky.social) January 20, 2025 at 10:50 AM
In a new statement, Rep. Bennie Thompson and Liz Cheney thank President Biden for their pardons and recognizing that they're being targeted with threats "simply for doing our jobs and upholding our oaths of office. We have been pardoned today not for breaking the law but for upholding it."
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1.bsky.social) January 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
In an incredible piece of news, President Biden has pardoned Ravi Ragbir, the immigrant rights leader who has been facing deportation for years. Without a pardon for his 24-year-old wire fraud conviction, Trump was likely to have him deported. www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-roo…
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@reichlinmelnick.bsky.social) January 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Knight Institute Applauds President Biden’s Decision to Pardon Prominent Immigration Activist Ravi Ragbir.
Full statement from @ramyakrishnan.bsky.social at the link:
knightcolumbia.org/content/knig…— Knight First Amendment Institute (@knightcolumbia.org) January 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Elsewhere… Incoming:
New on @MSNBC: Trump and his admin have prepared a list of pardons for individuals convicted of rioting at the Capitol on Jan. 6.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1.bsky.social) January 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Maybe there will be a blanket pardon for the Jan6 rioters, which would be enough of an insult. More likely, IMO, there will be endless in-house debate over who ‘deserves’ one (i.e., who can pay with cash, clout, or earned media), whether particularly egregious criminals like Stewart Rhodes should have their pardons slow-walked (because Rhodes has made it clear he intends to kill his ex-wife & kids if he’s released), et al. Then Dear Leader will be distracted by the next shiny object, the minions will scurry to comply, and the (literal) Base of disposable NPCs will still be sitting in jail.
ETA: *Sigh*
President Trump has pardoned 1,500 people who stormed the Capitol four years ago to block his successor from taking office, including 174 charged with using weapons or assaulting police and conspirators who plotted "to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power."
— Brad Heath (@bradheath.bsky.social) January 20, 2025 at 7:52 PM
To clarify this, Trump commuted the sentences of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers convicted in seditious conspiracy cases. He has pardoned everyone else who was convicted, including those who assaulted the police. And he has ordered DOJ to drop any pending cases.
— Brad Heath (@bradheath.bsky.social) January 20, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Maybe someone can help me out here, but I can't think of a previous instance of a president instructing DOJ to dismiss particular pending criminal cases.
— Brad Heath (@bradheath.bsky.social) January 20, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I guess he figured it would look good on the teevee.
Percysowner
I’m a little surprised he didn’t pardon Jack Smith, but I’m sure he had his reasons.
Jackie
From NBC:
So much for “individual cases.” I’m very sure this is the FFOTUS’s retaliation to Biden’s pardons.
zhena gogolia
@Jackie: He was going to do it anyway.
Jackie
@zhena gogolia: Agree.
NeenerNeener
@Percysowner: He didn’t issue pardons for the Vindmans either, and that family is now angry.
Princess
I’m glad about the pardons. I’m sorry this post got bigfooted so quickly, but I guess people will see it.
Ohio Mom
@Percysowner: That struck me as well. Maybe will learn the whole story later.
Princess
@NeenerNeener: I wonder if it was because Vindman’s acts were done in the previous administration under Trump — if Biden figured if Trump we’re going to have gone after him, he’d already have done it.
Elizabelle
Criminal administration. May they get what is coming to them. Good and hard.
KatKapCC
Fuck every single person who wouldn’t vote for Harris over some pet cause. I hope their next four years are miserable. Unfortunately, that misery is going to affect all of us, too.
zhena gogolia
@KatKapCC: My feelings exactly.
Elie
These pardons will not change the full attack this administration will be making on the rule of law and our society. We are all affected. We are in a civil war and those who do not understand that will be convinced soon. We have to get ourselves ready for what is ahead. In my opinion there will be no sitting back — we will all have to do our part — those of us who value true freedom and democracy…..
Elie
@KatKapCC:
I don’t think you want to wish that, though I most certainly understand and sympathize with what you say… We need real opposition to surface… it may not be where we expect it to come from but we have to be ready to recognize and follow them….
TheflipPsyd
I posted/asked in last thread, but more appropriate in this thread. Any chance of filing civil lawsuits for these individuals? Can the families of the police officers file civil lawsuits? It would be some consequence for their actions — being sued is not fun, even if someone pays for their lawyers?
I also wonder about the families/friends that helped with these convictions. Wonder how much abuse they will be in.
KatKapCC
@Elie: I don’t want to hear anyone who refused to support Harris talk about opposition. It was their “opposition” who got us into this hell. They can shut the fuck up.
Seeker
@TheflipPsyd:
It would be insane to file a civil suit against a Jan 6 patriot – it would invite retribution.
Geminid
@NeenerNeener: i saw that Rachel Vinfman, Alexander Vindman’s wife said she is angry.
Alexander Vindman’s brother Eugene also testified in the first Trump imprachment, although his role was not as central as Alexander’s.
Eugene is now Representative Vindman; he won the Virginia 7th CD seat that that Abigail Spanberger left in order to run for Governor. His social media feed has been filled with calls by Trumpers for a treason trial ever since he entered the race.
tobie
@KatKapCC: Well said.
dm
Biden also commuted Leonard Peltier’s sentence after nearly 50 years in jail.
Kay
The NYTimes has “Are Democrats in more trouble than they think?”
Anyone who is still paying for that rag is an idiot. They have absolute contempt for you.
It’s a jubilant celebration over there. Absolute hacks kissing the ass of their new billionaire overlords. They’re as fired up as when they’re selling a war.
Starfish (she/her)
Wayne Gretzky attended Trump’s inauguration because Trump said he wanted Gretzky as the leader of Canada. I have entered the stupidest time line.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Kay:
I’m afraid to ask what the NYT means by “trouble” after seeing Musk’s Nazi salute
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Starfish (she/her):
So Wayne Gretzky is a Trumpist POS. Didn’t know that. Another one added to the garbage pile
Ben Cisco
@KatKapCC: Pretty much this.
Starfish (she/her)
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): It’s just a little surreal. Trump has a lot of adoration for things that came from the 1980s, and it just feels old and out of touch.
Also, we really need to do something about all the brain injuries in sports if Trump is going to insist that all these old athletes go into politics.
zhena gogolia
@Starfish (she/her): Surprised to hear Gretzky is still alive
Gvg
@Princess: That would be too logical and expecting Trump to be logical is not a good bet. No, I suspect some other reason.
my first guess was he asked not to be pardoned but if the family is mad that probably not it.
Jack Smith is probably planning to fight them and possibly the pardon would not be strategic. Some will have to fight back and some of them are better suited to do it than others. We do need leaders.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Starfish (she/her):
I mean, I like a lot of stuff from the 1980s, in fact nostalgia for that time has been big for the last decade or so. But yes, it is crazy to want Wayne Gretzky to become PM of Canada.
bk
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Well, his daughter is married to a Trumper (the golf pro Dustin Johnson)
Boris Rasputin (The Evil Twin)
I don’t get it – if the ceremony was moved into the Capitol, why didn’t Trump invite everyone inside? After all, the “last” time was such a lovefest.
My only consolation is, the Tangerine Scrotum can’t live forever. The problem is, the swine propping him up will have Vance as their empty vessel.
Kay
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
It’s by Patrick Healey who they palmed off as a nonpartisan news person for years. I guess its good they’re all coming out of the closet as MAGA. This is like their Ronald Reagan – they are too young to have been Reaganites. They’re all super pumped about the far Right revolution.
Elie
@KatKapCC:
So are you going to go around checking their bona fides? How?
Please. I get your point of view, but please ask yourself how you will enforce this in the middle of this situation?
If we need to be at the barricades, I can’t be checking ids or subjecting folks to a loyalty pledge.
Get real, ok?
Due respect for sure, but we gotta look at what is what here
Shalimar
@Starfish (she/her): 1988 is the last time Gretzky lived in Canada, so over 35 years. I really do not think they would vote for him if he ran for office there.
different-church-lady
Welcome to day 1 of Just-as-bad-as-you-thought-it-would-be.
Kay
The union that represents tens of thousands of federal workers filed a lawsuit. They say installing Elon Musk to fire them is unlawful.
That’s one that isn’t rolling over.
Elie
@different-church-lady:
Yes —- so true
KatKapCC
[Deleted. Never mind. I’m not arguing with people who think the assholes who got us into this mess deserve our support now.]
Elie
@KatKapCC:
Got it —
I just want to get into the situation asap. We will see how fast this moves, but I want us to be ready. I do not know where our leaders will come from. I do not know how we will do this but we have to be open and not into internecine squabbles about the past — even if recent. Lots of our leaders are scared right now. They have a lot at risk and are cautious — which while I understand, will not do us much good. They may not be the right ones to lead this. We have to be open to our own power and to flowing to what helps us…
Elie
@KatKapCC:
I know that was not what I was saying. Read what I am saying please
Peace
Ken
@KatKapCC: This. We are not going to the barricades for people who openly campaigned again Harris. Starbucks anyone?
sconosciuto
they’ll do it again because we didn’t hang them the first time 👍
Quinerly
LOD very good tonight. Pointing out how the WH press corps treats Trump with more respect than it treated Biden.
WH press corps allowed in the Oval Office for Trump’s signing these EOs.
gene108
We lost.
Not just an election, but a major battle for what this country is.
Republicans Presidents ordering the DOJ to do their bidding will be what people will be the new normal.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
Well, thinking about it, I am convinced Musk did the Nazi salute to distract from his crappy month between calling for white Americans to be replaced by Indians and his pathetic cheating at playing computer games.
Trump is definitely low energy and something is wrong with the right side of his face. Watch it, it’s goin to come out the blanket pardon was because Trump couldn’t be bothered going through it one at time.
gene108
@Quinerly:
The media is run by white men. White men are the core voters of the Republican party. White men’s concerns have always been treated as the issues of the Very Serious People in society.
I think this is why the media treats Republicans better than Democrats. Republicans represent the same tribe the media is made up of.
Trump is very good at manipulating the ass kissing nature of the U.S. political media.
ExPatExDem
@Kay: While I have low opinion of the NYT, I think the Dem party is in as bad a place as I’ve seen it my lifetime. Completely locked out of power at the national level, leaderless, and rudderless.
I’m genuinely curious to see what lessons they take from their 2024 drubbing.
Captain C
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Gretzky might be the only Canadian he knows the name of.
gene108
@Boris Rasputin (The Evil Twin):
Trump despises how uncouth and poorly dressed his MAGA supporters are.
Captain C
@Shalimar: Even if he runs as a Conservative he might get stomped in Alberta given how bitter they were when he left Edmonton for LA, in part due to his wife’s acting career.
JaySinWA
Well the J6 pardons are one Trump promise I kind of expected him to forget about, or at least back burner. I didn’t think he really cared about the J6ers, I still don’t, but evidently his team did. OTOH this is consistent with the announced flood the zone strategy.
gene108
@Elie:
Right-wing media keeps Republican politicians in line, no matter how badly Republicans screw up, like after 2008. Now Republican voters will not tolerate compromise by their politicians and will support primary opponents who are more extreme.
There’s no power center on our side that has the power to push conformity to any kind of agenda.
ExPatExDem
@gene108: That’s not entirely true. Nancy Pelosi is still rigidly enforcing rule by gerontocracy.
Bill Arnold
@Elie:
It takes no more than several hours to scope out a person’s beliefs and idiosyncrasies, if they have had a public presence. A few days to do it reasonably thoroughly. This is necessary; the right is absolutely ruthless about character assassination, and giving them actual serious flaws makes it trivial for them.
sentient ai from the future
we are all michael reinoehl now.
the proud boys and oath keepers now have the money and technology completely on their side.
Elie
@gene108:
You are right of course — did I argue that? I dont think so.
Also I am not saying we have to support Dems or others who did not support Harris or other Democrats. Just saying that in the middle of what is coming, we are not going to be checking all that — those who want to fight this will fight this — hopefully as many of us as possible. Why is what I am saying anything to disagree with?
Elie
@Bill Arnold:
So okay, what is the practical application of what you are saying in the middle of this? Are you envisioning a nice polite published dispute where one has researched everyone ? I guess I’m an old timer seeing a more raucous and contentious environment where there will be a very mixed and contentious opposition to Trump and that we may make all kinds of alliances, permanent and also temporary. I just did not want to cut out any potential allies but it seems some think only those deemed righteous will be allowed to participate. My apologies.
Quinerly
Don’t know if Kathy Peltier is on a lot of social media. She’s on FB and has been posting. Her father was released this AM per Biden’s pardon and will be home early tomorrow.
Elie
Let me clarify —
Ultimately I am seeing opposition to this regime as coming from a variety of directions and allies — not just democrats… This is going to be very complex and we are not just battling MAGA but the wealthy tech bros oligarcs who are their allies…. We have to keep our minds open to prepare
Citizen Alan
@ExPatExDem: I’m so fucking bored with you. Pied.
Msb
Good for Joe – doing good to the last.
moonbat
@dm: I am so glad I came out from my news boycott today to see this. Bless Biden forevermore for doing that.
And thank you AL, for these refuge posts!
Denali5
@Elie:
While I agree with you about the situation, I am at a loss at what to do. I did not go on the media at all yesterday.and I was still almost clinically depressed when I went to bed. I cannot sleep. When I opened my iPad, the news, texts were still all about TCF. I hope someone somewhere has a plan.