A Blizzard in Washington

In the last days of his administration, outgoing President Biden issued pardons to thousands of convicted prisoners, including a sweeping pardon to his own son.

Not to be outdone, incoming President Trump issued wholesale pardons to those convicted for the recent January 6 insurrection, including those who had assaulted police officers.

We have just witnessed, l’havdil, a wholesale Yom Kippur — and, I would submit, an abuse and a cheapening of the institution of presidential pardons.

The message is clear: If one has a friend in the White House, one can be convicted of serious crimes and still be assured of a presidential pardon.