I don’t get these last minute presidential pardons. If they are so intent about pardoning someone, why do it in the middle of the night? Why not do it in the light of day? Why did Bill Clinton wait until literally his last hours in office to do this, if it was such a good idea to pardon Marc Rich? Why not do it his first day in office, why not do it during his reelection campaign, if he was convinced it was the right thing to do?
Because he knew everyone would find it objectionable -- and wanted to make sure that he got away with it.