What America’s divided and tumultuous politics of the late-19th century can teach us
The Conversation3 hrs
Trump Pardons 77 in 2020 Election Cases, Including Giuliani
Above: Rudy Giuliani at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on Sept. 11, 2025. Image copyright: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
These pardons are a dangerous completion of America's first non-peaceful transfer of power. These sweeping pardons for fake electors and election subversion efforts rewrite history while shielding co-conspirators from accountability. The lawless rollout through a political proxy reinforces Trump's authoritarian approach to justice.
Republican narrative
Trump's pardons correct injustices perpetrated by a weaponized FBI and DOJ against innocent Americans. These cases were political theater designed to distract from the FBI's treacherous failures and institutional misconduct. The federal leviathan targeted patriots solely to shield corrupt officials whose misdeeds had become too glaring to conceal.
Metaculus Prediction
Public Figures
Political split
LEFT
RIGHT
More neutral political stance articles
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.17.2
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.17.2