WASHINGTON − President Joe Biden made a significant and historic use of his clemency powers, prompting immediate reactions from politicians across both major parties.

Then, on Monday, he made headlines again with a set of pardons that echoed through the political landscape, stirring distinct but equally impactful responses.

As his presidency drew to a close, Biden granted clemency to several individuals, including ex-Rep. Liz Cheney, Dr. Anthony Fauci, former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and multiple family members of the president himself.

In response to these actions, President Donald Trump, who was inaugurated the same day, labeled Biden’s decision as “unfortunate.”

Later that same day, Trump utilized his own pardon authority, granting clemency to nearly 1,600 individuals—essentially everyone charged with offenses tied to the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

Both Biden’s and Trump’s actions faced criticism, but some Democrats noted that Biden’s pardons made it more difficult for them to condemn Trump’s decisions.

Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, remarked, “We need to criticize some of the problematic pardons, particularly those related to January 6. But it becomes challenging to do this when President Biden is extending pardons to family members.”

Nick Penniman, founder and CEO of Issue One, a democracy reform organization, commented on the situation stating, “Both presidents set troubling precedents yesterday. Trump has indicated that using violence to undermine constitutional order will be forgiven, while Biden is suggesting that family members can be preemptively shielded from wrongdoing.” He added, “What if President Trump chooses to do the same for his family members? Picture how they could exploit his presidency for personal gain.”

Instead of addressing Biden’s controversial pardons, Congressional Republicans are doubling down on their criticisms of Biden.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., responded to questions about Trump’s pardons by turning the focus back to Biden.

Senator Jim Banks, R-Ind., emphasized, “Trump had made it clear he would pardon January 6 protestors. This was well known during his campaign—he won the popular vote and had a mandate. I fully support his actions.”

Banks criticized Liz Cheney for misusing her authority, claiming, “Liz Cheney should face consequences for her actions in Congress, and it’s disgraceful that Biden pardoned her despite her guilt. She should be held accountable.”

Cheney was the vice chair of the House select committee looking into the events of January 6. Trump has previously argued that she and other committee members should be jailed for purportedly withholding evidence regarding the insurrection. Both Cheney and committee chair Bennie Thompson, who was also granted a pardon by Biden, stated they have faced threats and harassment.

“Today’s pardons were not given for unlawful behavior but rather for standing for the law,” the former committee leaders expressed in a joint statement on Monday.

Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, also a member of the committee and a recipient of a preemptive pardon from Biden, suggested there is a difference between the pardons issued by the two presidents.

“Those pardoned today were innocent,” Raskin told CNN immediately after Trump’s clemency announcements.

He questioned, “Why were they pardoned? Was there any claim of innocence? No one is asserting that. Or were they pardoned simply because they were loyal political followers of Donald Trump during his insurrection against the government?”

Banks, nominated in 2021 by former Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., to join the January 6 committee, saw his selection vetoed by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. He had voted against validating Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.

“The Bidens are the most corrupt family to ever occupy the White House,” Banks remarked. “Pardoning his family members? Meanwhile, you’re focused on Trump following through with his intentions as he promised during his campaign? That’s absurd.”

Contributing: Bart Jansen