Former President Joe Biden reportedly considered a presidential pardon for Donald Trump in late 2023, according to an account from Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican who had not endorsed Trump in prior elections. The discussion occurred during a meeting in August 2023, when Cox raised the idea during a conversation with Biden in Utah. Biden acknowledged he had discussed the possibility with First Lady Jill Biden just days earlier while in bed, describing it as a topic of serious consideration despite calls from Democratic voters for Trump to face federal charges.
The pardon was never issued, and federal charges against Trump were later dropped following his 2024 election victory. Neither the White House nor Biden’s office provided official comment on the report, which was published by The Atlantic on September 12, 2024.
Key Context and Background
The proposal emerged amid ongoing federal indictments against Trump, including charges related to his handling of classified documents. At the time, Cox—a moderate Republican who had not supported Trump in 2016 or 2020—argued that a pardon could help mitigate political polarization and prevent a cycle of partisan retaliation. According to Cox’s account, he framed the suggestion as something that "might sound crazy" but emphasized its potential to unify the country.
Biden’s response indicated that the idea had been under consideration for some time. "You know, I’ve actually considered this for a while," Biden reportedly told Cox, adding that he and Jill Biden had discussed it in private. The president did not commit to a decision but indicated he would take the proposal seriously, despite opposition from segments of his political base demanding accountability for Trump.
Reactions and Political Implications
The report has drawn mixed responses from political observers. Supporters of Trump’s legal accountability argue that a pardon would have undermined the justice system’s independence, while others contend it could have served as a gesture of national healing. Trump’s administration characterized the consideration as evidence of partisan weaponization of the justice system, with a White House spokeswoman stating that Biden knew of the alleged unfair treatment but took no action to stop it.
Cox, who later endorsed Trump following the former president’s assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, framed the pardon discussion as a pragmatic step toward reducing political tensions. His account suggests Biden viewed the idea as a potential tool for national reconciliation, though no formal action was taken.
Outcome and Subsequent Developments
Federal charges against Trump were ultimately dismissed after his 2024 election victory, rendering the pardon discussion moot. The episode remains notable for its illustration of bipartisan efforts to address political divisions, as well as the tensions within Biden’s own party regarding Trump’s legal exposure. Neither Biden nor the White House has publicly revisited the topic since the report’s publication.