During his final days in office, former President Joe Biden issued several pardons, but none went to Jack Smith or others linked to legal cases involving President Donald Trump. Trump has frequently criticized individuals he believes have unfairly targeted him.
Earlier this month, Trump wrote on Truth Social:
“Corrupt Democrat judges and prosecutors have targeted me at levels of injustice never seen before.”
Among those who did not receive pardons from Biden are Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, New York Judge Juan Merchan, and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis—all figures Trump has publicly rebuked.
1. Jack Smith
Jack Smith, the special counsel responsible for pursuing two federal cases against Trump, recently resigned from his position. Trump has often referred to him as “Deranged Jack Smith.”
In a report issued shortly before Trump’s inauguration, Smith stated:
“With respect to both Mr. Trump’s unprecedented efforts to unlawfully retain power after losing the 2020 election and his unlawful retention of classified documents after leaving office, the Principles [of Federal Prosecution] compelled prosecution.”
Although the cases did not go to trial, Smith noted:
“I believe the fact that our team stood up for the rule of law matters.”
2. Alvin Bragg
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg led the case in which Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records.
On Truth Social, Trump referred to Bragg as “Soft on Crime Alvin Bragg” and “Corrupt Soros Funded District Attorney, Alvin Bragg.”
3. Juan Merchan
Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over Trump’s New York criminal trial, has also faced Trump’s criticism. Trump has accused him of bias, calling him “Corrupt, Deeply Conflicted, Democrat Appointed Acting Judge Juan Merchan.”
Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, Merchan sentenced him to an unconditional discharge. Trump alleged that Merchan aimed to “RIG the Manhattan Sham ‘Trial.’”
4. Fani Willis
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was involved in a Trump-related election interference case in Georgia. The Georgia Court of Appeals later disqualified her from the case.
Trump commented on the disqualification during an interview with Fox News Digital:
“There is no way such corrupt people can lead a case, and then it gets taken over by somebody else. It was a corrupt case, so how could it be taken over by someone else?”
