Former White House communications director Kate Bedingfield expressed disappointment over President Biden's last-minute pardons issued just before he left office. Speaking on CNN, Bedingfield characterized the pardons as contradictory to Biden's previous pronouncements on upholding the rule of law.

Among those pardoned were several members of Biden's family, a move the former president defended as protection against what he termed "politically motivated investigations." Earlier pardons included figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Gen. Mark Milley, as well as individuals connected to the January 6th House select committee investigation. These followed earlier pardons, including one for Hunter Biden related to firearm and tax charges.

Bedingfield highlighted the seeming hypocrisy, recalling Biden's earlier criticism of the prospect of President Trump pardoning his own family. She admitted her disappointment with the decision. However, she also offered a potential explanation, suggesting that the pardons might have been a preemptive measure against potential actions by the incoming Trump administration. Bedingfield speculated that Biden might have felt compelled to protect his family given what she described as Trump's stated intention to pursue his political adversaries.

While understanding the rationale, Bedingfield maintained that Biden's actions did not justify similar behavior by Trump. One of Trump's initial acts upon returning to office was to pardon over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol attack.