Jan. 6 committee member says preemptive pardons not necessary

Rep. Pete Aguilar, a prominent Democrat who served on the congressional committee investigating President-elect Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, is not expecting any special treatment from the outgoing commander-in-chief. Aguilar stated that he believes a preemptive pardon from President Joe Biden is unnecessary because the Jan. 6 committee “didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I don’t think a pardon is necessary. I stand by the work that we did,” Aguilar told reporters at the Capitol Tuesday. He also clarified that he has not sought a pardon, nor has he discussed the matter with anyone at the White House. When asked if he would accept a pardon if granted, Aguilar did not respond.

Lawmakers who served on the House committee investigating Jan. 6 have differing opinions on the need for a preemptive pardon. Some argue that it could set a dangerous precedent for future presidents, while others fear potential retaliation from Trump. Rep. Bennie Thompson, who chaired the committee, expressed concerns about retribution from Trump and indicated that he would accept a pardon from Biden if offered.

However, not all committee members share the same sentiment. Rep. Zoe Lofgren emphasized that she has not reached out to the White House for a pardon and believes it would be inappropriate to grant one. Sen. Adam Schiff echoed this sentiment, stating that it would set a negative precedent for future presidents.

Rep. Jamie Raskin expressed uncertainty about the necessity of a pardon, acknowledging the threats faced by Jan. 6 prosecutors and emphasizing that the committee did nothing wrong. Raskin expressed confidence in President Biden’s ability to make a wise decision on the matter.

During his final interview as president, Biden hinted at the possibility of preemptive pardons for Trump’s political adversaries. Trump has previously referred to committee members as “thugs” and “creeps,” accusing them of destroying evidence. The Justice Department recently released a report detailing Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s alleged election interference.

The Jan. 6 committee concluded its investigations with a final report implicating Trump in the Capitol siege and making criminal referrals to the Department of Justice. Despite differing opinions on the need for preemptive pardons, committee members are united in their commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for those involved in the events of Jan. 6, 2021.