President-elect Donald Trump has reignited debates over the presidential pardon as he prepares to return to the Oval Office in January 2025. Having previously issued 144 pardons during his first term, Trump is once again hinting at who could benefit from his executive clemency powers. This time, the list includes controversial figures such as Julian Assange, January 6 rioters, and even himself.

The debate over presidential pardons has been further fueled by outgoing President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden, despite earlier pledges to remain uninvolved in the Justice Department’s investigations. Trump, a frequent critic of Biden’s move, has accused him of abusing the system, even as he plans to leverage the same power for his allies.

January 6 Rioters and Key Allies

Trump’s top priority appears to be addressing the cases of over 1,000 individuals charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riots. The president-elect has promised to review each case “individually,” signaling a potential wave of clemencies for those he claims were unfairly targeted for their support of him.

In addition, Trump has hinted at pardoning former trade adviser Peter Navarro, who was convicted of contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena during the January 6 investigations. While Navarro has publicly expressed reluctance to accept a pardon, Trump described him as “a great patriot” who was “treated very unfairly.”

High-Profile Names: Assange and Ulbricht

Among the most prominent figures on Trump’s unofficial pardon list is WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Assange’s role in publishing military secrets and leaking damaging information about Hillary Clinton in 2016 significantly bolstered Trump’s initial presidential bid. In a May interview, Trump said he would give “serious consideration” to pardoning Assange, who remains imprisoned after pleading guilty to charges of espionage.

Ross Ulbricht, creator of the darknet marketplace Silk Road, is also on Trump’s radar. Speaking at a Libertarian event earlier this year, Trump vowed to commute Ulbricht’s life sentence, calling the punishment excessive.

A Pardon for Hunter Biden?

Despite his public criticism of Hunter Biden’s pardon, Trump has suggested he might pardon Biden’s son if the situation aligns with his broader political strategy. In a November interview, Trump remarked that a pardon for Hunter Biden wasn’t “off the books,” showcasing the potential for bipartisan clemency decisions.

Can a President Pardon Himself?

Perhaps the most contentious possibility is whether Trump could pardon himself. Convicted on 34 counts of fraud earlier this year, Trump’s legal team is actively pursuing a motion to dismiss the charges. However, if sentencing coincides with his return to the presidency, Trump could test uncharted constitutional waters by issuing himself a pardon.

Social Media Reactions

Netizens shared mixed opinions on Trump’s pardon intentions:

• @PatriotPaul: “Assange deserves freedom! About time someone considers the truth behind his case.”
• @JusticeForAll: “Self-pardon? This could spark a constitutional crisis. Dangerous territory for democracy.”
• @Trump2025: “He’s righting the wrongs of a biased justice system. Go Trump!”
• @TruthSeeker: “Hunter Biden got off easy—double standards all around.”
• @LibertyFanatic: “Ulbricht’s sentence is cruel. Trump’s promise is a step toward justice.”
• @SkepticalSam: “Another term, another pardon circus. Let’s see who buys their freedom this time.”