House Speaker Johnson Denies Knowledge of Trump's Binance Pardon Amid Prior Biden Criticism

House Speaker Mike Johnson has repeatedly avoided commenting on President Donald Trump's recent admission on 60 Minutes that he did not know the crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao, whom he pardoned despite Zhao's guilty plea to money laundering. Johnson, who had previously criticized President Joe Biden for allegedly not being fully aware of his own pardons and the use of an autopen for signing documents, deflected questions about Trump's forgetfulness by claiming ignorance of the interview and saying reporters should ask the president. This stance has drawn criticism for its perceived inconsistency, as Johnson's earlier attacks on Biden's mental acuity regarding pardons now contrast sharply with Trump's public statements. Trump defended his pardon by emphasizing his limited knowledge of cryptocurrency and framing the pardons as part of maintaining U.S. leadership in the crypto industry. The situation highlights the GOP's challenge in addressing presidential pardons and raises questions about accountability and awareness within the current administration. Experts have also noted that Johnson's previous comments about Biden's pardons now appear misguided in light of Trump's own admissions.