White House discusses preemptive pardons for Trump critics
The White House is considering if President Biden should preemptively protect those who have been critical of President-elect Trump ahead of an incoming administration expected to be focused on retribution, a source familiar told The Hill.
Biden has spoken about preemptive pardons with members of his senior team, and senior officials, including in the White House counsel's office, are having formal deliberations, according to the source.
No decisions have been made by Biden, nor has a formal proposal been submitted to the president. This is also not yet a formal list of people being considered for these pardons.
But a number of names are seen as under potential consideration. These figures include outspoken Trump critics such as Sen.-elect Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and former White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci. All are seen as potential targets of a Trump administration that some Democrats feel may be focused on going after its enemies.
Trump has said he will nominate Kash Patel, a close ally who has made public remarks about going after Trump's enemies, to lead the FBI. Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department.
In the White House meetings, officials have discussed individuals who have been threatened publicly by Trump World over the years and the White House has received incoming requests from people concerned that they could be a target. Politico first reported on these discussions.
A sitting president can issue a blanket pardon to Americans who haven’t committed crimes as a preemptive step, but it’s an incredibly rare move, one most notably used for former President Richard Nixon.
Biden on Sunday issued a full and unconditional pardon for his son, Hunter Biden. The president said he was issuing the pardon because Hunter Biden had been subject to a political prosecution. The White House later said the pardon was issued because President Biden believed Trump and the GOP would not let the issue of Hunter Biden go.