Political Hypocricy Comparison Chart: A Fake Outrage Becomes a Tool for Power.

I've done my best to research and verify what is listed here.

Remember, some areas might very well have more information that will never be known by anyone but that person or those with authorization to know why a decision was made. And some have been shown to be correct, lawful, and constitutional, yet we might still shout from the rooftops that it was wrong, unlawful, and unconstitutional. But why? As the title states: hypocrisy. Also, a lack of knowledge or understanding with that particular event or issue, perhaps. Keep that in mind as you read this political hypocrisy breakdown of our culture.

1. Executive Power / Overreach

Liberal Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Trump for issuing 220 executive orders, calling it “governing by fiat." Yet ignored Obama’s 277 executive orders and the fact that Biden signed 77 executive orders in his first year (compared to Trump's 55 and Obama's 39), making Biden the busiest first-year executive order user in 40 years.

• Criticized Trump’s use of the Defense Production Act for ventilators (2020), but applauded Biden invoking it for EV supply chains (2022).

• Supported Obama’s “pen and phone” approach to bypass Congress on climate and gun policies, despite expressing discomfort with Trump doing the same.

• Many defended Obama’s widespread use of executive actions—DACA, NLRB appointments, drone policies—with little to no backlash.

• Supported Obama/Biden invoking emergency powers for policy goals like tariffs and deregulation—same tactics they disapproved of under Trump.

• Many supported, defended, and approved of the violent protests for diversity and liberal agendas, the destruction of uncomfortable (offensive) historical momunets, and the overruning of capital buidlings for liberal politcal reasons, but feigned outrage at the peaceful protests for individual liberty, the discussion of removal of uncomfortabel historical momunets not fitting liberal views, and the overruning of capitcal building for conservative political reasons.

• Many supported the overreach in revoking freedoms and liberty (travel, work, leisure, speech, military service) during Covid and even cheered the termination of livelihood and very lives.

• Many refused to trust or take any Covid shot due to the extreme fast pace the vaccine was created during the last months of Trump’s first term, but then immediately embraced the same vaccines once Biden was in office and mandated it.

  
  

Conservative Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Obama for using executive orders on guns and climate change but praised Trump’s use for immigration (border wall) and economic policy.

• Criticized Biden for invoking emergency powers to regulate gas stoves and climate policies, despite supporting Trump invoking the same for tariffs and pandemic measures.

• Many attacked Obama for “governing by fiat,” then praised Trump’s record-breaking use of first day executive orders.

• Many upported Trump invoking emergency powers for policy goals like tariffs and deregulation—same tactics they disapproved of under Obama/Biden.

• Many upported the rapid creation of vaccines during the last few months of Trump’s first term but then refused to take or trust the Covide shot once it was mandated by Biden.

  
  

Additional Example:

• Both sides ignored how executive orders can overturn predecessors’ policies overnight (e.g., Trump revoked 100 Obama-era EOs, and Biden overturned over 60 Trump EOs within weeks).

A Few Quotes:

“I’ve got a pen and I’ve got a phone — I can use that pen to sign executive orders when Congress won’t act.” — Barack Obama

“We have a lot of executive action to be taken,” — Donald Trump

“That’s not how democracy works — you can’t just make changes by executive order.” — Barack Obama

Common Ground:

Both sides agree that an executive order is awesome when their chosen person is in the Oval Office.

2. Taking Military Action Without Congressional Approval

Liberal Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Trump’s Soleimani strike as “dangerously unconstitutional,” yet overlooked Obama’s campaign of over 26,000 bombs dropped across 7 countries in 2016 alone, including the killing of civilians.

• Criticized Trump for missile strikes in Syria, while accepting Biden’s airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, despite no formal Congressional authorization.

  
  

Conservative Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Obama for military action in Libya and Syria, calling it an “abuse of executive authority,” but supported Trump’s attacks on Syrian air bases and drone strikes.

• Criticized Biden for Yemen airstrikes, ignoring that Trump conducted airstrikes in the Middle East.

A Few Quotes:

“My military decisions must be made with the advice and consent of Congress.” — Senator Rand Paul

“We can’t wait for Congress when Americans are in danger.” — Barack Obama

“The Constitution clearly gives Congress the sole responsibility for declaring war.” — Joe Biden

“If the President attacks Iran without Congressional authorization, I will move to impeach him.” — Joe Biden

Common Ground:

Both sides agree that dropping bombs and killing terrorists is okay so as long as their guy gives the order.

3. Criticism of the Judiciary & Rule of Law

Liberal Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Trump for labeling judges as “political activists,” yet overlooked Obama publicly scolding the SCOTUS after the Citizens United ruling.

• Criticized Trump for ignoring judicial rulings, despite Democrats supporting Biden ignoring SCOTUS decisions (e.g., extending the eviction moratorium in 2021).

• Denounced Trump for influencing the court; quiet to Obama’s attempts to influence the Supreme Court.

Conservative Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Obama for “disrespecting” judges, while ignoring Trump calling judges “unfair.”

• Criticized Democrats for discussing SCOTUS expansion, despite supporting Trump and McConnell blocking Merrick Garland in an election year.

A Few Quotes:

“If a judge disagrees with me, I call it out. They have too much power.” — Donald Trump

“A judge can sign an order, but that doesn’t mean it’s right or just.” — Donald Trump

“The Court is making decisions that affect the American people, and it must be held accountable.” — Barack Obama

Common Ground:

Both sides agree that judges are neutral arbiters… unless their rulings affect the party agenda; and that criticizing judges is fine, as long as their guy is making the critique.

4. Law Enforcement, DOJ & FBI

Liberal Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Trump for pressuring the DOJ, but largely ignored the many Obama-era controversies such as “Fast and Furious,” where weapons ended up in cartel hands, drawing little media scrutiny.

• Supported the FBI and DOJ conducting high-profile investigations of Trump (Mar-a-Lago) and of high profile Trump supporters, yet downplayed if not largely ignored questions about Hunter Biden and classified documents found at Biden’s office and stalled inquiries, and other events such as 2012 Bengazi, the bleaching of email servers, Uranium one, cognitive health, the Afganistan withdrawl.

• Typically skeptical of the FBI but shifted toward being more supportive and trusting during the Trump investigations.

• Tend to support law enforcement when they aligned with their political causes (e.g., FBI Trump investigations, Capitol Police on Jan 6, local law enforcement kneeling for George Floyd and showing support in uniform for their political causes), but oppose agencies when they view them as associating with systemic injustice (e.g., ICE following immigration law, local police ).

Conservative Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Biden for “weaponizing” the DOJ, ignoring that Trump openly called for the DOJ to investigate opponents.

• Criticized Biden for mishandling classified documents, despite Trump storing hundreds of classified files at Mar-a-Lago.

• Typicall supportive of the FBI but shifted toward being more skeptical and distrusting during the Trump investigations.

• Tend to support law enforcement as a symbol of order and national security, but express deep distrust when they view agencies as politicized or weaponized (e.g., FBI Trump investigations, Capital Police on Jan 6, local law enforcement in uniform showing support for political causes).

A Few Quotes:

“The DOJ is an instrument of justice, not a weapon for politics” — Merrick Garland

“The Justice Department must be both an independent enforcer of the law and an ally of civil rights.” — Eric Holder

Common Ground:

Both sides agree that the DOJ is a beacon of justice… except when it shines on their party.

5. Pardons

Liberal Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Trump’s pardon of Roger Stone and Michael Flynn, while largely ignoring Biden’s pardon of Hunter Biden and the blanket pardons for marijuana convictions and others with no specific crime mentioned.

• Criticized Trump for granting clemency to Jan. 6 participants, despite Democrats accepting Obama’s commutations for hundreds of drug offenders and Biden’s pardoning of the Jan. 6 committee and his family.

Conservative Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Biden for using pardons “politically” (Hunter Biden, his family, Jan. 6 committee), yet ignored Trump pardoning Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Steve Bannon.

• Criticized Democrats for normalizing pardons, despite Trump granting 1,700.

Other Notable Information—number of pardons:

• Obama: 1,927

• Biden: 4,245

• Trump: 1,700

A Few Quotes:

“The pardon power is one of the rare instances where mercy can help right a wrong.” — Barack Obama

“I have absolute right to pardon myself, but why would I when I’ve done nothing wrong?” — Donald Trump

Common Ground:

Both sides agree that pardons are great—when their side issues them. And that when a pardon is granted to someone guilt can be presumed… or ignored—depending on the side.

6. Classified Documents

Liberal Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Trump for mishandling classified documents but overlooked Biden storing classified files at his home and office.

• Criticized Trump’s Mar-a-Lago storage, while ignoring Obama-era controversies with Hillary Clinton’s private email server and Biden’s classified storage.

Conservative Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Biden’s classified document mishandling but dismissed Trump’s refusal to return documents.

• Criticized Biden for “lack of transparency,” ignoring Trump’s resistance to document requests.

A Few Quotes:

“Classified documents must be treated with the utmost care” — Joe Biden

“It’s irresponsible — and dangerous — for classified documents to be kept in a personal space.” — Joe Biden

“National security documents must be protected, regardless of party.” — Lindsey Graham

Common Ground:

Both sides agree that the rules about classified documents are vital… except when their person is questioned; and that what’s in a file doesn’t really matter nearly as much as the party who filed it.

7. Civil Liberties & Big Brother Surveillance

Liberal Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Bush for Patriot Act overreach, yet ignored Obama’s renewal of the Patriot Act and expansion of PRISM surveillance.

• Criticized Trump for “censoring” media narratives, while accepting Biden’s collaborations with platforms like Twitter and Facebook and the censoring of political and Covid information in contrast to the current accepted “science” and political narrative (even when proven true).

Conservative Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Obama’s surveillance policies, but overlooked Trump using surveillance and national security tools for tighter immigration enforcement.

• Criticized Biden for social media censorship, ignoring Trump’s consideration of using executive action for regulating platforms.

A Few Quotes:

“If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.” — Michael Hayden, former CIA Director

“Government surveillance is vital for national security.” — Barack Obama

Common Ground:

Both sides agree that surveillance is a necessary evil, except when it’s used against their party; and that Big Brother is best when he’s working for their side.

8. Immigration & Border Security

Liberal Hypocrisy:

• Roared against Trump's family separation; stayed quiet on Obama’s record deportations and Biden’s Title 42 restrictions.

• Criticized Trump for family separation, ignoring that Obama deported over 2.5 million people (highest until that point).

• Criticized Trump’s enforcement of Title 42, yet overlooked Biden extending the program for two years.

• Raged against “kids in cages” but ignored “kids in cages” under democratic administrations.

• Criticized Trump for the border wall and strict border enforcement; but were silent when Biden announced in 2023 he would build 20 miles of the border wall.

Conservative Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Obama for deportation policies, but ignored Trump’s similar approach.

• Criticized Biden for record crossings despite Trump having crossings, too.

• Previously criticized Obama’s removal of Dreamers and deportations; now champion Trump’s strict border policies.

A Few Quotes:

“We are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.” — Barack Obama

“Build the wall.” — Donald Trump

“We must have a system that welcomes immigrants while securing our borders.” — Barack Obama

“We have a responsibility to enforce the law and protect the borders of the United States.” — Joe Biden

Common Ground:

Both sides agree that borders matter—except when doing so conflicts with their party’s messaging. And that “Secure the border” is universally popular… until someone has to pay for it.

9. Presidential Golfing

Liberal Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Trump for playing golf nearly 261 times in four years, yet ignored Obama’s 333 rounds and Biden’s numerous trips to Delaware golf courses.

• Criticized Trump for golfing during crisis, despite Obama doing the same (e.g., after a terrorist attack) and Biden golfing amid rising tensions in Ukraine.

Conservative Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Obama for golfing too much, but ignored that Trump played roughly 261 rounds of golf in four years.

• Criticized Obama and Biden golfing extensively during critical moments, yet overlooked Trump in similar situations.

A Few Quotes:

“My golf game gives me a chance to think clearly.” — Barack Obama

“If a round of golf gives a President the focus he needs for crisis, it’s worth the time.” — Barack Obama

“My golf is a form of exercise and a chance to work — I get more done on the golf course than most people do in the office.” — Donald Trump

Common Ground:

Both sides agree that golf is a crisis, unless their guy has the tee. And that no matter who’s president, the golf cart is always charged and ready and the greens are always open.

10. The Media & Control of the Narrative

Liberal Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Trump for attacking the media and labeling it “fake news,” but ignored Biden pressuring platforms like Facebook and Twitter to remove pandemic-related information, election information, and censoring Conservative voices and his political opponent(s).

• Criticized Trump for discrediting media outlets, yet ignored instances where Democrats circulated their own false security, political, and media narratives (e.g., Hunter Biden laptop story).

Conservative Hypocrisy:

• Criticized Biden for pressuring platforms to remove “disinformation,” yet ignored Trump’s public attacks and calls for media outlets to be stripped of licenses.

• Criticized Biden and Democrats for allegedly “censoring” the media, despite supporting Trump’s threats against outlets like CNN.

A Few Quotes:

“A free press is vital for democracy, even when I disagree with its stories.” — Barack Obama

“The media has become the enemy of the people when it chooses to distort the truth.” — Donald Trump: 

Common Ground:

Both sides agree that the media can save democracy (even though we are a Constitutional Republic), unless it disagrees with their party. And that all media is biased, except when repeating their talking points verbatim.

11. A Few More Examples Of When Both Sides Agreed

Expanded Surveillance & National Security:

Both Obama and Trump embraced surveillance expansion, supporting Patriot Act renewals and FISA reforms.

EPA Regulations & Environmental Policy:

Both Obama and Trump reshaped EPA policies for economic or climate interests, highlighting bipartisan agreement on leveraging the agency.

Drone Programs & Emergency Powers:

Both Obama and Trump used drone strikes, and both used emergency powers to bypass traditional Congressional constraints. And despite liberal objections, Obama's drone policies built on Bush’s, with broad bipartisan acceptance. And Trump’s pandemic orders and Biden's COVID-era relief both used unchecked emergency powers; both drew criticism across the aisle but were largely mirrored by political opponents during crises

Bipartisan Critique of the Other’s Media:

Both Democrats and Republicans criticized the media when it didn’t suit their agenda.

Common Ground:

Both sides agree that surveillance is vital, except when it is used against their side.