Trump's Return to Office Could Trigger Unprecedented Pardoning Spree

President-elect Trump is expected to issue a wave of pardons, potentially including Jan. 6 defendants, former allies, and even political opponents.

Donald Trump, set to return as president in January 2025, is anticipated to issue numerous pardons early in his term, breaking from traditional end-of-term clemency practices.
Potential pardon recipients include former Trump administration officials like Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, as well as individuals involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
Trump has hinted at the possibility of pardoning Hunter Biden, contrasting President Joe Biden's refusal to pardon his son for federal charges.
Legal experts note that Trump’s pardon list could extend across party lines and may include controversial figures like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden.
Speculation surrounds whether Trump might explore a self-pardon or reciprocal pardons involving Biden and his family, though such scenarios remain unconfirmed and legally uncertain.