Podcast Title: Tangle
Host/Author: Isaac Saul
Episode: Biden’s Last Week as President
Release Date: January 22, 2025
Introduction
[01:57] John Law
As Isaac Saul takes paternity leave, John Law, the Executive Producer for podcasts and YouTube, steps in as host. He extends warm wishes to Isaac and his family during this joyous time. The episode focuses on President Joe Biden's final days in office, highlighting his executive orders, controversial pardons, and the ensuing political debates.
Quick News Hits
[02:30] John Law
John Law provides a roundup of the day's significant political events:
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Legal Challenges to Trump’s Executive Action
- Attorneys general from 18 states have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship, claiming it violates the 14th Amendment. Four additional states have joined a separate lawsuit challenging the action.
-
Israeli Military Operations and Leadership Resignations
- Israeli security forces conducted a major raid in the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians. Following these events, Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Southern Command Head Yaron Finkelman resigned, citing failure to prevent the October 7th attacks.
-
Trump Pardons Ross Ulbricht
- President Trump granted a pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the online marketplace Silk Road, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment for narcotics distribution through the site.
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Natural Disasters in the U.S.
- Multiple wildfires in San Diego County led to evacuation orders. The Lilac Fire, the largest, expanded to 85 acres and was 50% contained by Tuesday evening.
- A rare winter storm hit southern U.S. states, resulting in the first-ever blizzard warning for the Gulf Coast.
-
Trump’s AI Joint Venture
- President Trump announced a collaboration between OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle to develop artificial intelligence infrastructure in the U.S., with an expected investment of $500 billion over the next four years for the project named "Stargate."
Biden’s Final Days: Executive Orders and Pardons
[06:26] John Law
John Law delves into President Biden's actions during his final days:
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Executive Orders:
- Environmental Initiatives: Banned new oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of U.S. coastal waters.
- Diplomatic Moves: Removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
- Artificial Intelligence Regulations: Established new guidelines for sharing AI chips and models internationally.
- Student Loan Forgiveness: Canceled loans for over 150,000 borrowers.
- Deportation Protections: Extended protections for individuals from Sudan, Ukraine, El Salvador, and Venezuela.
-
Pardons and Commutations:
- Mass Commutations: On January 17, 2025, Biden commuted the sentences of 2,490 individuals in a single day, setting a record.
- Controversial Pardons: Granted pardons to General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, members of the January 6th Committee, and his own family members, despite none being charged with crimes.
Notable Quote:
“I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics, but these are exceptional circumstances and I cannot in good conscience do nothing.”
— President Joe Biden [05:14]
Reactions to Biden’s Pardons
[05:14 - 09:56] Kristen & John Law
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Republican Backlash:
Senator Eric Schmidt criticized Biden, stating, “the guy who claimed he would protect norms continues to bulldoze them and the Constitution until the bitter end.”
[05:14] -
Trump’s Response:
President Elect Donald Trump condemned the pardons as disgraceful and suggested that many pardoned individuals were guilty of major crimes.
[05:59]
Perspectives from the Left and Right
[11:14 - 19:50] John Law
Left's Perspective
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Skepticism and Concern:
While some on the left acknowledge Biden's farewell address warnings about oligarchy, they express concern that the pardons may undermine Democratic credibility against Trump’s actions. -
Harold Meyerson (The American Prospect):
“Few presidential closing acts, however, penetrate the nation's collective memory. Biden's farewell address could well join that company.”
[07:30] -
Paul Blumenthal and Igor Bobik (Huffington Post):
Criticize Biden’s pardons as prophylactic moves to protect individuals from potential Trump-led investigations, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent for future presidential actions.
[08:10]
Right's Perspective
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Criticism of Self-Serving Actions:
The New York Post editorial board accuses Biden of using his final days to benefit his inner circle and harm the nation, labeling his actions as hypocritical compared to Trump’s promises.
[09:20] -
Jonathan Turley (The Hill):
Describes Biden’s pardons as the "final corruption," arguing they undermine the rule of law and set a precedent for political retribution.
[09:45] -
Jason Willock (The Washington Post):
Highlights the erosion of executive restraint, suggesting that both Biden and Trump have abused pardon powers, leading to a decline in political norms and accountability.
[10:15]
Ari Weitzman’s Analysis
[19:50 - 27:17] Ari Weitzman
Ari Weitzman provides a nuanced analysis of Biden's final actions:
-
Loan Forgiveness:
While Biden's broader loan forgiveness goals were unmet, the targeted forgiveness of 150,000 loans is seen as a positive, more efficient approach. -
Blanket Pardons:
Weitzman discusses the dual interpretations:- Collusion View: Suggests Biden may be protecting individuals Biden believes are wrongfully targeted.
- Defensive Move: Posits that pardons are a preemptive measure against Trump’s promised retribution.
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Potential Consequences:
Weitzman warns that Biden’s use of blanket pardons could embolden future presidents, like Trump, to issue similar pardons, exacerbating partisan divisions and undermining the rule of law.
Notable Quote:
“Blanket pardons are something else altogether. It's a tool far too ripe for corruption to serve any value.”
— Ari Weitzman [24:30]
Under the Radar: FDA Approves Spravato
[31:21] John Law
The FDA has approved Spravato, a nasal spray developed by Johnson & Johnson, for adults with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. This marks Spravato as the first standalone therapy for such cases, expanding treatment options for the estimated one-third of U.S. adults with depression unresponsive to standard treatments.
Notable Quote:
“The nasal spray's approval will allow for greater flexibility in treating severe cases of depression.”
— John Law [31:21]
Numbers Section
[34:00] John Law
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Pardons and Commutations:
- Biden (2021-2024): 25 pardons, 132 commutations.
- Biden (December 12, 2024): 39 pardons, 1,499 commutations.
- Biden (January 17, 2025): 2,490 commutations.
- Trump (First Term): 144 pardons, 94 commutations.
- Trump (Second Term): Approximately 1,514 pardons on the first day.
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Public Opinion:
- 51% strongly support presidential pardon power.
- 38% somewhat support it.
(December 2024 GZERO poll)
Have a Nice Day Story: Hurricane Helene Relief
[34:50] John Law
Hurricane Helene caused significant destruction across the South. Jake Jarvis, owner of Precision Grading, has been instrumental in community recovery, performing demolition, road flattening, and bridge building efforts pro bono. His work, funded by donations and personal savings, has been hailed as a "godsend" by Bat Cave, North Carolina Fire Department Chief Steve Freeman.
Conclusion
[35:14] John Law
John Law wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to support Tangle through memberships, offering access to ad-free content, exclusive interviews, and more. He signs off with well wishes to the audience, anticipating the return of Isaac Saul.
Notable Quotes
-
John Law:
“President Biden issued pardons for his family members and political figures in the final hours of his term, prompting debate over his legacy and the limits of presidential power.”
[06:26] -
Senator Eric Schmidt:
“The guy who claimed he would protect norms continues to bulldoze them and the Constitution until the bitter end.”
[05:14] -
Ari Weitzman:
“Blanket pardons are a tool far too ripe for corruption to serve any value.”
[24:30]
Additional Resources
- Newsletter: Subscribe at readtangle.com
- Support Membership: tanglemedia.supercast.com
- Under the Radar Stories: CNBC Article on Spravato
- Nice Day Story: Good News Network Article on Jake Jarvis
This summary provides an in-depth overview of the Tangle podcast episode discussing President Joe Biden's final actions in office, the political reactions to his pardons, and their implications for future presidential conduct.