Washington:

Donald Trump broke two significant traditions after losing the 2020 election – declining to invite President-elect Joe Biden to the White House and skipping Biden’s inauguration. 

However, these customs will be reinstated as Trump and Biden are set to meet at the Oval Office today, marking Trump’s first return to the White House since his presidency ended amidst election denialism four years ago.

Trump’s comeback was sealed after winning all seven swing states, securing 312 electoral votes to Vice President Kamala Harris’ 226, and potentially winning the popular vote. 

In a gesture of goodwill, President Biden congratulated Trump on November 6 and invited him to the White House, demonstrating his commitment to a peaceful transfer of power.

According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden’s invitation stems from his belief in upholding norms and ensuring a smooth transition. 

She said, “It is important not just because it’s important to him, but it’s important to the American people. The American people deserve this. They deserve a peaceful transfer of power. They deserve a smooth transition. And that’s what you’re going to see.”

The meeting’s agenda will be private, but reporters will be present to capture the beginning of the discussion. National security adviser Jake Sullivan revealed that Biden and Trump will discuss domestic and foreign policy issues.

The two leaders have been at odds for years, with vastly differing views on key policies such as climate change, Russia, and trade. Biden has expressed concerns about Trump’s impact on democracy, while Trump has criticised Biden’s competence

This meeting signifies a return to presidential tradition, particularly after Trump’s contentious departure from office. His impeachment by the House for “incitement of insurrection” following the January 6, 2021, US Capitol storming added to the tension. Today’s meeting marks a step towards reconciliation and reinforces the importance of democratic norms.
 

Donald Trump is preparing for his second term in the Oval Office. Days after he defeated Kamala Harris in the Presidential polls, political observers in the US speculated that Trump would issue pardons for several controversial figures. From January 6 rioters to prominent public figures, these potential pardons seem to be part of Trump’s strategy to galvanise his political base and challenge what he views as a biased legal system.

According to the US Department of Justice, “The President’s clemency power is conferred by Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution of the United States, which provides: ‘The President…shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.’”

But pardons do not fully erase a criminal record. Even after a pardon, individuals may still face restrictions, such as being prohibited from voting in certain states.

Pardons for January 6 rioters

Trump has repeatedly expressed his intention to pardon those involved in the January 6 Capitol riots, though he remains vague on specifics. “If they’re innocent, I would pardon them,” he remarked in July. Campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told the Washington Post that pardons would be decided on a “case-by-case” basis, with some defendants already invoking Trump’s pardon promises in court since his election on November 5.

Hunter Biden

Trump hinted at the possibility of pardoning Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s son, who faces sentencing for federal tax and gun charges. Trump told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt in October, “I wouldn’t take it off the books… despite what they’ve done to me.”

Ross Ulbricht

Another person who may benefit from a potential pardon is Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, who has received vocal support from libertarians. Supporters of Ulbricht, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2015 for running the Silk Road marketplace on the dark web, expressed their hope on social media, with one tweet stating, “ROSS IS COMING HOME IN JANUARY. We are so grateful to @realDonaldTrump for his pledge to #FreeRoss and to all those who have supported us.”

Julian Assange

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, may also receive a pardon. Trump expressed in May 2024 that he would “give very serious consideration” to granting clemency to Assange.

Peter Navarro

Trump has left the door open for a potential pardon of his former trade adviser, Peter Navarro, who was sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress. Trump praised Navarro as a “great patriot,” claiming he was “treated very unfairly.”

Trump’s self-pardon and legal boundaries

As for the possibility of Trump pardoning himself, the issue remains murky. While Trump previously dismissed the idea, telling NBC News last year it was “very unlikely” he’d pardon himself, because he “didn’t do anything wrong,” legal experts remain divided on whether the Constitution permitted such an action. While Trump may avoid needing a self-pardon for federal charges, state-level prosecutions, including those in New York and Georgia, remain outside his jurisdiction.