A Republican Governor Tried to Heal American Politics. It Almost Broke Him.

O n August 9, 2023, Utah’s governor, Spencer Cox, found himself sitting across from Joe Biden in an armored presidential limousine as it idled in downtown Salt Lake City.

Working up the nerve to pitch a far-fetched idea, he cleared his throat.

“Mr.

President, I know this might sound crazy,” Cox said, “but I think you should pardon Donald Trump.” Trump was, at the time, facing criminal charges in multiple jurisdictions.

He was also the Republican frontrunner for president—a man who had promised to drive “Sleepy Joe” (a.k.a.

“Enemy of the State,” a.k.a.

“Most Corrupt President We’ve Ever Had,” a.k.a.

“Worst President in the History of Our Country”) from the White House and imprison members of the “Biden crime family.” Cox had no loyalty to Trump; though a Republican, Cox had never voted for him and was hoping that his party would nominate someone else in 2024.

But he believed that prosecuting a former president would deepen the country’s political crisis.

A pardon by Biden, he argued, could deescalate tensions and interrupt the cycle of partisan retribution.

To Cox’s surprise, Biden perked up at the suggestion.

“You know, I’ve actually considered this for a while,” Biden said.

“In fact, just this week as we were lying in bed, Jill and I had a long conversation about it.” Biden said that although people were “demanding justice” for Trump, he would seriously consider a pardon.

Cox left the limousine convinced it was a real possibility.