Biden Considers Pardoning Trump Critics

Outgoing US President Joe Biden is considering an early pardon for prominent critics of his successor Donald Trump, multiple people familiar with the discussions have told the BBC’s US partner CBS.

This is to protect them from possible retaliation after Trump takes office, who has vowed to retaliate against those who have targeted him.

CBS reports that while Biden has discussed the possibility of issuing a pardon with senior White House aides, no specific names have been officially recommended to him.

Sources told AFP that officials are also considering the message it would send to pardon people who have not committed crimes.

This happens as a result of surrounding disputes Biden’s unconditional pardon for his son Hunterwho was sentenced this month on a federal gun and tax conviction.

Republicans and some Democrats criticized the move, which came after the president previously said he would not take such a step.

US media reports that Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has criticized Trump’s Covid response, and California Senator-elect Adam Schiff, who led the first impeachment against Trump, are among those who could qualify for a potential pardon from Biden.

Other Democrats who, like Schiff, had a role in or investigated Trump’s impeachment cases 2021 US Capitol riotsthey could also be assigned.

In an interview with NPR last month, Schiff said he doesn’t think preemptive pardons are a good idea because he believes the courts can handle Donald Trump’s threats.

“I think it’s frankly so unbelievable that it’s not worth much consideration,” he said of reports that such a pardon was being considered.

“I would urge the president not to do that. I think it would seem defensive and unnecessary.”

White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said earlier this week that more pardons could be expected from President Biden before his term ends in January, but did not elaborate.

“He thinks the process through very carefully.”

Among those who could be granted a more traditional presidential pardon for their crimes are non-violent drug offenders or others with a history of various offenses, CBS reports.

Donald Trump is not alone in threatening retribution against those who have been against him in the past. His nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, has said he will go after politicians and members of the media who he says, without evidence, helped overturn the results of the 2020 US presidential election.

“We’re going to come after you, whether it’s criminal or civil,” Patel said.

“We’ll figure it out. But yes, we’ll warn you all… We’ll actually use the constitution to hold them accountable for crimes they said we’ve always been guilty of, but never were.”

Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle responded that he thought Biden should grant a blanket pardon to those on Donald Trump’s “enemies list.”

“By selecting Kash Patel as his FBI director, Trump has made it clear that he is more focused on settling personal scores than protecting the American people or upholding the rule of law,” Boyle said.