Pardon Me
Every painting in Chronicle of an Unquiet Age documents the defining events, people, and issues that shaped its moment in history. Created in real time as events unfolded, each work serves as both an original oil painting and a historical record, reflecting the belief that the news of today is the history of tomorrow.
TRTA-2024-103 | December 2024 | Oil on Canvas | 32" x 26"
In the immediate aftermath of the 2024 election, attention quickly turned from campaigning to power, consequence, and what actions might come next. Speculation over pardons, legal exposure, political bargaining, and the transition ahead became part of the national conversation almost overnight. Pardon Me captures that swift shift from ballots to accountability. December 1, 2024 the Big Guy Joe Biden pardons Hunter in an extensive and sweeping pardon. Is this pardon for Joe too? This pardon includes Barisma et al. Biden also preemptively pardons Liz Cheney, Pelosi, Schiff, Fauci and all his family members. Americans are questioningTrump these blanket pardons as "Innocent people don't need pardons." In one day Biden pardons 1500 people... the largest commutations in history and now Biden has his "Leniency Legacy." Pete Hegseth is nominated for head of Department of Defense. Chrisopher Wray FBI Director announces he will resign before Trump's inauguration making way for Kash Patel. It is finally revealed there were 26 FBI informants embedded in the January 6th crowds. Liz Cheney is referred to DOJ for January 6th witness tampering. Trump issues ultimatum to Hamas "release the hostages before January 20th or there will be hell to pay." Trudeau kisses the ring at Mar A Lago and asks Trump"Please don't put tariffs on Canada. Trump in true form replies "OK Canada can become the 51st state and you can be Governor." Tump humor and heads explode! Gunman Luigi Mangioni is arrested at McDonalds after gunning down United Healthcare CEO in NYC. Social Media goes nuts over "Hot Hitman." Swarms of drones as large as school buses hover in darkness for hours over New Jersey and the government doesn't have a clue where they are from or who is behind this. Daniel Penny is found NOT guilty in the NYC subway chokehold death. ABC and George Stephanopoulas apologize to Trump and agree to pay $15 million to settle defamation lawsuit. And big News Bitcoin hits $100,000 WOW Trump is named "Person of the Year" by Time Magazine and receives the Patriot of the Year Award. Pardon Me carries both humor and accusation. It invokes the language of courtesy while pointing to one of the most consequential powers of the presidency. The painting preserves a moment when many Americans wondered who might be forgiven, protected, or left behind.
