President Joe Biden faced a question on Monday regarding whether he or any future president should consider granting a pardon to former President Donald Trump, who faces potential federal charges related to the classified documents probe.
Although Biden did not provide a direct answer, his response conveyed a significant message.
The inquiry came from Fox News' Peter Doocy—son of Fox & Friends' Steve Doocy—during a press event.
Biden chuckled, and briefly acknowledged the question with the following response before he departed:
“I’ll see you guys. Great question.”
You can watch the moment in the video below.
\u201cPresident Biden is asked if he\u2019ll pardon Trump. (Video: Fox News)\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1685393887
The topic of pardoning Trump has gained attention.
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, expressing his openness to considering pardons including for Trump.
DeSantis recently made statements regarding his openness to issuing pardons if he were to become president. DeSantis emphasized that he would assess cases involving individuals who may have faced unjust treatment or political targeting.
His willingness to examine potential pardons—including for Trump and individuals involved in the January 6 insurrection at the United States Capitol—underscores the ongoing debate surrounding accountability and the potential consequences for those involved in the events surrounding the 2020 election.
Many felt Biden had given the response such questions deserve.
\u201c@MikeSington Asinine question, #501!\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1685393887
\u201c@MikeSington I wish it had been a sunny day and he could\u2019ve thrown on his aviators while walking off!!! He\u2019s so cool and unflappable!\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1685393887
\u201c@MikeSington A Rhetorical question that deserved a laugh.\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1685393887
\u201c@MikeSington Laughs and walks off is the ONLY answer to that question. Love you Joe\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1685393887
\u201c@MikeSington Biden, our president! He knows the best because he's that darn good!\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1685393887
\u201c@MikeSington Heeehheee...I love this guy!\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1685393887
\u201c@MikeSington That was the rest of the world outside the USA laughing.\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1685393887
\u201c@MikeSington You know that if the shoe were on the other foot, that the \u201cformer guy\u201d would more than happily throw President Biden in prison for doing much less..\ud83e\udd28\ud83d\ude21 President Biden is NO FOOL! He will NEVER, EVER give him a pardon! \ud83e\udd23\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1685393887
Trump has been under federal investigation since last year and has long denied he broke federal law regarding presidential documents he'd spirited away from the White House.
Trump's legal troubles erupted over the summer when he alerted the world the FBI executed a search warrant for his Mar-a-Lago estate. Sources said Trump was in possession of classified material—including nuclear secrets—that prompted the intelligence community to voice concerns about national security.
Afterward, Trump claimed he had the ability to declassify any and all documents or information by thinking it was declassified. His claim was widely disputed by experts who noted there is a specific federal process that must be adhered to before any information can be declassified and some categories of information cannot be declassified by even the President.
His claims were shut down by federal prosecutors who heard the explanation from Trump's attorneys, who made the ability to withhold documents from review critical to Trump's defense.
