Whoever does best right before the election has better chances to be elected. We have the same issue in Canada. The prime minister of Quebec is just sending relief checks right before the elections as if it wasn't clear voter buyout.

On the other hand, these veterans being pardoned 4 years earlier could potentially have cost Biden the election, cost America democracy, cost trans Americans their freedom, and cost West Bank Palestinians their lives. It's a fucked up calculus but I can't say I disagree. I blame this failure on the short memories of voters and on those who are working to make a Trump presidency happen.