Written by Daniel Brooks.

Reports are swirling that Bill and Hillary Clinton are exploring the possibility of a preemptive presidential pardon from Joe Biden. The claim? Allegedly, this would shield them from potential legal trouble before Donald Trump’s new administration takes office in January.

Bill Clinton didn’t exactly shut down the idea when asked about it during an appearance on The View. When Sunny Hostin pressed him on whether President Biden should consider using his pardon power to protect Hillary, Bill’s response was measured but revealing: “I think if President Biden wanted to talk to me about that, I will talk to him about it.”

While he avoided giving a direct yes or no, the idea of using pardons preemptively—especially for crimes that haven’t been charged—opens up a Pandora’s box of ethical and political questions.

The Shadow of 2016: Emails and Election Fallout

The Clintons have been in Trump’s crosshairs for years. Hillary’s 2016 presidential campaign was dogged by controversy over her use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State. Critics accused her of mishandling classified information, while supporters claimed the scandal was overblown.

Bill Clinton, during his The View interview, defended his wife and downplayed the email issue. He claimed that Trump’s State Department eventually determined Hillary hadn’t sent or received any classified emails on her personal device, calling it a “made-up story.”

But here’s the thing: the email controversy wasn’t just about classified information. It raised broader concerns about transparency and accountability, issues that many Americans take seriously, no matter which side of the political spectrum they’re on.

A Preemptive Pardon: What Would It Mean?

Let’s break this down. A presidential pardon is typically used to forgive someone convicted of a crime or to mitigate their sentence. Preemptive pardons, however, are rarer and far more controversial. They essentially grant immunity before charges are even brought—think of Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon after Watergate.

If Biden were to pardon the Clintons preemptively, it would send shockwaves through the political world. For supporters, it might look like Biden protecting political allies from what they see as politically motivated attacks. For critics, it would likely confirm suspicions of corruption and a lack of accountability among Washington elites.

Adding to the drama is Donald Trump’s return to power. Trump has long made it clear that he believes Hillary Clinton should be held accountable for past controversies, including the email scandal. A preemptive pardon could intensify tensions between the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump White House.

The Larger Picture

The Clintons’ political legacy has always been polarizing. To their supporters, they represent decades of public service and resilience in the face of relentless opposition. To their detractors, they symbolize everything wrong with political elites—scandals, secrecy, and a knack for skirting accountability.

Whether or not the pardon talks are serious, they tap into a deeper frustration many Americans feel about the double standards in how justice is applied. If ordinary citizens can’t escape scrutiny for their actions, why should powerful political figures be any different?

Our Take

From a conservative perspective, the idea of preemptive pardons for the Clintons is troubling on several levels. First, it erodes trust in the justice system. If the Clintons truly have nothing to hide, as Bill Clinton insists, then why seek a pardon? The mere suggestion makes it look like they have something to fear.

Second, this sets a dangerous precedent. Pardons are supposed to be tools of mercy, not shields for political allies. Using them preemptively risks undermining the entire purpose of the justice system and creating a perception that some individuals are simply above the law.

Finally, this reinforces a sense of disconnect between political elites and ordinary Americans. At a time when trust in government is at an all-time low, moves like this only widen the gap. Accountability shouldn’t be optional—no matter who you are or how powerful your connections might be.