President Joe Biden and his aides are discussing the idea of issuing pre-emptive pardons for individuals that President-elect Donald Trump has targeted in recent years, amidst concerns of retribution. Some names mentioned in discussions include Senator-elect Adam Schiff, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and former Rep. Liz Cheney, although no consensus has been reached on a final list. The notion of pre-emptive pardons has support from some Democrats and “Never Trump” Republicans to protect individuals under a potential new Trump presidency. Previous presidents have issued similar pardons in the past for various reasons.
During the 2024 campaign, Trump made threatening comments about individuals who had opposed him, including Cheney, Schiff, and Fauci. Trump’s antagonistic relationship with Fauci, who led the federal response to the Covid-19 pandemic, was particularly notable. The Biden administration is also working on clemency cases in criminal justice, with advocates urging the president to act on various cases they believe warrant clemency. Announcements on these decisions are expected in the coming weeks.
The reports of discussions about pre-emptive pardons highlight the tense and contentious political climate in Washington, where concerns about potential retribution from Trump are being taken seriously. The Biden administration is considering various measures to protect individuals who may be targeted by Trump in the future.
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