The unforgiven

Dear Palmer Report readers, we all understand the difficult era we're heading into. Major media outlets are caving to Trump already. Even the internet itself and publishing platforms may be at risk. But Palmer Report is nonetheless going to lead the fight. We're funding our 2025 operating expenses now, so we can keep publishing no matter what happens. I'm asking you to contribute if you can, because the stakes are just so high. You can donate here.

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about “forgiveness.” It’s come from television pundits. It’s come from people on social media. “Forgiveness” is being talked about all over the place — for different reasons.

The incident you might be the most familiar with happened recently after Queen Elizabeth passed away. A CNN panel, including Jake Tapper, mulled over the possibility of President Biden inviting Donald Trump to her funeral, and it was mentioned it could be in the spirit of forgiveness.

And many on social media are nervously asking if President Biden might “forgive” Donald Trump and pardon him. They seem very worried about that. None of this is real. Biden would never have invited Trump to accompany him, and he will not ever pardon Trump either. People bring up Ford’s pardoning of Nixon, but it was a different era and situation.

But still, talk of forgiveness is in the air. And even Maga is talking about it. Yes, really “The left forgave Biden for much worse. They should forgive Trump,” wrote one Maga, not specifying what that much worse is.

And in numerous books and films, we hear about how forgiveness is good for the soul. It can cleanse one, allowing their inner loving nature to shine through. And I believe in forgiveness — up to a point.

It is true that forgiving those who hurt you can help the healing process move along. Forgiving is really about assisting the one who does the forgiving, not the one who IS forgiven. I believe in the spirit of forgiveness.

Trump is not one of those times. In my mind, Trump is responsible for the deaths of millions. He has blood on his hands. He lives to hurt and hurts to live. He is a human monster and will forever be the unforgiven for me.

You see, sometimes one CAN’T forgive. We are allowed to be angry — especially at a human monster who has hurt many and would happily take down the whole country with him if he could.

We do not have to forgive Donald Trump, but we can let go to an extent. We can concentrate on the things we can do something about, like the upcoming elections. We can recognize Trump is in the past and will get what he deserves. Trump is one who, for many, will always remain the unforgiven though not unpunished.