Senior Democrats have indicated that President Joe Biden is contemplating issuing preemptive pardons for his allies in Congress, as well as for current and former federal officials. The pardons could be aimed at protecting individuals from potential legal repercussions under a future Trump administration.
Sen. Ed Markey said, “If it’s clear by January 19th that [revenge] is his intention, then I would recommend to President Biden that he provide those preemptive pardons to people, because that’s really what our country is going to need next year.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar stated, “Does it concern me that revenge would be part of her mission? Of course it does.”
Notable figures mentioned for possible pardons have included members of the January 6 Committee, such as Sen.-elect Adam Schiff and former Rep. Liz Cheney, as well as Anthony Fauci.
Democrats and media figures have been urging Biden to take this step to prevent what they see as retaliatory actions from Trump.
Jill Wine-Banks, former assistant Watergate special prosecutor, said, “I hope that President Biden will also issue preemptive pardons to all of those people threatened by the injustice of what will become the Department of Justice in the Trump administration.”
Wine-Banks added, “It includes President Biden himself, although we don’t know that anyone can legally pardon themselves. He will need a pardon because he is going to be harassed and charged for no crimes whatsoever. Donald Trump has promised that.”
A White House spokesperson did not confirm the discussions, but there is significant pressure from within the party for Biden to act.
