Biden HHS Secretary warns against pre-emptive pardon for Fauci, others
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has issued a strong warning against the potential impact of a preemptive presidential pardon for individuals like Dr. Anthony Fauci. Becerra, who previously served as California’s attorney general before assuming his role at HHS, expressed his concerns in an interview with The New York Times on Wednesday.
“It sinks my heart to think that we’re going to use the pardon process in a way that will follow the whims of whoever’s in the White House,” Becerra stated, emphasizing the importance of upholding the presidential pardon power. He stressed that this power should be held in high regard to prevent its misuse and ensure that it is not used frivolously.
When asked directly if he believed that President Biden should not pardon Dr. Fauci, Becerra chose not to provide a definitive answer, stating, “I won’t try to interpret what you’re hearing; I just told you what I think.” Becerra’s remarks followed President Biden’s recent comments in an interview where he indicated that preemptive pardons for Trump’s political targets were still being considered.
The discussion surrounding preemptive pardons has intensified as Trump’s nominees for key positions, such as director of the FBI and attorney general, have expressed intentions to target individuals they believe were unfairly treated during the previous administration. There have been calls from some Republicans and Trump allies to prosecute Dr. Fauci for his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging misconduct and deception.
Democrats are divided on whether President Biden should offer preemptive pardons to public officials who may be at risk of political targeting. Some argue that decisive action is necessary to prevent abuses of power, while others advocate for caution in the use of executive pardon authority.
Legal experts have noted that President Biden has the authority to issue preemptive pardons, citing precedent set by former President Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal. The debate over preemptive pardons underscores the complexities of presidential powers and the need to balance accountability with the protection of individuals from politically motivated prosecutions.
As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen how President Biden will navigate the issue of preemptive pardons and address concerns raised by individuals like Secretary Becerra. The careful consideration of these matters is essential to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served fairly and impartially.
