The political landscape witnessed a stark contrast in reactions when both President Trump and President Biden considered or issued preemptive pardons. While Trump's potential pardons for family members in 2020 drew heavy criticism from Democrats and liberal media, Biden's similar actions in the final hours of his own presidency were largely overlooked by the same outlets.

Biden issued two sets of pardons, strategically timed to coincide with Trump's inauguration. The first round targeted Trump critics, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and January 6 Committee leaders. The second, issued just before Trump was sworn in, encompassed members of Biden's own family, including his siblings James, Valerie, and Francis. This occurred weeks after Biden pardoned his son, Hunter.

In contrast, when reports emerged in late 2020 that Trump was considering preemptive pardons for his children, son-in-law, and Rudy Giuliani, media outlets like The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, and NBC News extensively covered the story, often framing it as an abuse of power. Commentators questioned the ethics of pardoning individuals not charged with crimes and speculated about potential guilt. Some outlets, like Vanity Fair and Slate, went further, suggesting ulterior motives and potential legal ramifications for Trump.

This disparity in coverage highlights a potential double standard in how the media portrays the actions of different political figures. While Trump's considerations were met with widespread condemnation, Biden's actions, despite being similar in nature, received significantly less scrutiny. The media's focus on Trump's potential pardons as a scandal contrasted sharply with the muted response to Biden's actual pardons of his own family members.

This raises questions about media objectivity and the potential influence of political bias in shaping news narratives.