Biden says pre-emptive pardons for Trump targets still under consideration
President Biden recently hinted at the possibility of offering pre-emptive pardons to some of President-elect Donald Trump’s political adversaries, including former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Dr. Anthony Fauci. In his final interview with USA Today’s Washington Bureau chief Susan Page, Biden shared that he was still deliberating on whether to extend these pardons to potential targets of the outgoing administration.
During the interview, Biden mentioned his conversation with Trump after the November election, where he advised the president-elect not to seek retribution. Despite this, Biden remained uncertain about the preemptive pardons, particularly for individuals like Cheney and Fauci who could be on Trump’s radar.
The discussion around potential pardons gained traction following Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter, who faced charges related to firearms and taxes. Initially denying any plans for pre-emptive pardons, Biden later went on to grant clemency to a record-breaking number of individuals in a single day in December.
While some Democrats have cautioned against issuing broad pardons as Biden exits office, others have expressed support out of concern for Trump’s potential actions. Sen. Adam Schiff emphasized the importance of avoiding a precedent of blanket pardons, but did not definitively state his stance on accepting such a pardon if offered.
On the other hand, Sen. Ed Markey voiced his backing for Biden potentially issuing pre-emptive pardons, citing concerns about Trump’s vindictive behavior in the coming year. He suggested that if Trump’s intentions became clear by January 19th, Biden should consider offering pardons to safeguard individuals from potential retribution.
As discussions surrounding pre-emptive pardons continue, it remains to be seen how Biden will navigate this decision in his final days in office. With conflicting opinions among lawmakers and the public, the issue of pardons for Trump’s political foes underscores the challenges of ensuring a smooth transition of power.
