Biden did not pardon four Trump rivals.

Biden did not grant pardons to Jack Smith or other individuals involved in legal disputes with Trump.

Biden did not pardon four Trump rivals.
Biden did not pardon four Trump rivals.

In his final days as president, Joe Biden granted a large number of pardons, but did not pardon Jack Smith or others linked to cases involving Donald Trump, whom he has frequently criticized for being unjustly targeted.

Earlier this month on Truth Social, Trump claimed that "Democrat judges and prosecutors" had unfairly targeted him with "unprecedented levels of injustice."

Biden did not pardon individuals that Trump has publicly criticized, such as Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, New York Judge Juan Merchan, and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

1. Jack Smith

Jack Smith
Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to members of the media at the US Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 1, 2023.  (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump has frequently criticized Jack Smith, the special counsel who aimed to launch two federal investigations against him, but who has since resigned.

Trump has repeatedly called the man "Deranged Jack Smith."

In a report issued prior to Trump's inauguration, Smith argued that the Principles of Federal Prosecution mandated prosecution against Trump for his unlawful attempts to retain power after losing the 2020 election and his unlawful retention of classified documents after leaving office.

Although we couldn't bring the cases we charged to trial, I believe it's important that our team upheld the rule of law.

2. Alvin Bragg

Alvin Bragg
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stands with members of his staff at a news conference in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records, as charged by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Bragg has been one of the targets of Trump's ire.

Alvin Bragg has been labeled "Soft on Crime" and "Corrupt Soros Funded District Attorney" by Trump on Truth Social.

3. Juan Merchan

Judge sentences Trump to an unconditional discharge in NY case

Trump has also criticized Judge Juan Merchan, who was involved in Trump's New York court case.

Trump has labeled the acting judge as "Corrupt, Deeply Conflicted, Democrat Appointed," and accused him of trying to "RIG the Manhattan Sham 'Trial.'"

Prior to Trump's presidential inauguration, Merchan handed down an unconditional discharge sentence to him.

4. Fani Willis

Fani Willis
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on Feb. 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Ga. (Alyssa Pointer-Pool/Getty Images)

The Fani Willis, the District Attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, was disqualified from a case involving election interference related to former President Trump by the Georgia Court of Appeals.

"Trump stated on Planet Chronicle Digital that corrupt individuals cannot lead a case and it is unclear how someone else can take over a corrupt case."

Planet Chronicle Digital's Brooke Singman contributed to this report

by Alex Nitzberg

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