President Joe Biden is considering utilizing his clemency power to grant pre-emptive pardons to individuals who may face retribution from the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. A senior White House official and a source familiar with the discussions have indicated that Biden is expected to take further clemency actions before departing office next week.
However, the final decision on granting pardons to individuals in this group has not yet been made, according to the White House official. The timing of any potential clemency actions, if approved by Biden, is likely to occur during his final hours in office, either on Sunday or before noon on Monday, as reported by the sources. It is important to note that the timing is subject to change.
During his campaign, President Trump had pledged to pursue legal action against his political opponents if he secured a second term in office. Reports from NBC News suggest that Biden is considering pre-emptive pardons for individuals who could be targeted for retribution, including Senator Adam Schiff of California, a key figure in Trump’s first impeachment trial; Dr. Anthony Fauci, a prominent infectious diseases expert who clashed with Trump over the Covid-19 response; and former Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who played a significant role in investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, a former chair of the House committee investigating the January 6 events, stated this week that he would be willing to accept a pardon if offered. However, a spokesperson for Thompson did not provide an immediate response to a request for comment on Friday.
In a recent statement, President Biden hinted at the possibility of taking additional clemency actions before his term concludes on Monday. He expressed pride in his record on clemency and mentioned ongoing reviews of potential commutations and pardons.
It is worth noting that Biden has already issued more individual pardons and commutations compared to any of his predecessors. In a noteworthy move, he pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, in December, just before Hunter was set to be sentenced on federal gun and tax charges. Biden cited concerns about political influence affecting the legal process, leading to what he described as a miscarriage of justice.
Throughout recent history, several U.S. presidents, including George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, have exercised their authority to issue pre-emptive pardons. The decision by President Biden to potentially grant pre-emptive pardons reflects the complex dynamics surrounding the transition of power and the ongoing political landscape in the United States.
