Richard Jeffries
Guest Reporter
US President Joe Biden is considering issuing pre-emptive pardons to prominent critics of Donald Trump, according to multiple sources familiar with White House discussions.
The move comes as Biden seeks to shield potential targets from retribution by Trump, who has vowed to take revenge against those who have opposed him.
Senior White House aides have reportedly debated the possibility with Biden, though no specific names have been formally recommended for pardons.
Among those potentially in line for pardons is Dr Anthony Fauci, who has been critical of Trump's handling of the Covid pandemic.
California's Senator-elect Adam Schiff, who led the first impeachment effort against Trump, is another potential recipient.
The pardons could also extend to other Democrats who were involved in Trump's impeachment cases or investigated the 2021 US Capitol riots.
The consideration comes in the wake of controversy surrounding Biden's recent unconditional pardon of his son Hunter on federal gun and tax charges.
Adam Schiff has publicly opposed the idea of pre-emptive pardons, expressing his views in a recent NPR interview.
"I think this is frankly so implausible as not to be worthy of much consideration," Schiff said of the reports.
He urged President Biden not to proceed with the pardons, stating they would "seem defensive and unnecessary."
Schiff emphasised his belief that the courts were capable of withstanding any threats from Donald Trump.
Trump's nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, has issued stark warnings about pursuing Trump's opponents.
"We're going to come after you, whether it's criminally or civilly," Patel declared, adding that they would "use the Constitution to prosecute them."
Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle responded by urging Biden to issue blanket pardons to those on Trump's "enemies list."
"Trump has made it clear that he is more focused on settling personal scores than on protecting the American people," Boyle said.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed this week that more pardons are expected before Biden's term ends in January.
"He's thinking through that process very thoroughly," she said, though she declined to provide specific details.
The White House is also reportedly considering traditional presidential pardons for nonviolent drug offenders and others who have served time for various offences.
Officials are weighing the implications of pardoning individuals who have not committed crimes.
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The move comes as Biden seeks to shield potential targets from retribution by Trump, who has vowed to take revenge against those who have opposed him.
Senior White House aides have reportedly debated the possibility with Biden, though no specific names have been formally recommended for pardons.
Among those potentially in line for pardons is Dr Anthony Fauci, who has been critical of Trump's handling of the Covid pandemic.
California's Senator-elect Adam Schiff, who led the first impeachment effort against Trump, is another potential recipient.
The pardons could also extend to other Democrats who were involved in Trump's impeachment cases or investigated the 2021 US Capitol riots.
The consideration comes in the wake of controversy surrounding Biden's recent unconditional pardon of his son Hunter on federal gun and tax charges.
Adam Schiff has publicly opposed the idea of pre-emptive pardons, expressing his views in a recent NPR interview.
"I think this is frankly so implausible as not to be worthy of much consideration," Schiff said of the reports.
He urged President Biden not to proceed with the pardons, stating they would "seem defensive and unnecessary."
Schiff emphasised his belief that the courts were capable of withstanding any threats from Donald Trump.
Trump's nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, has issued stark warnings about pursuing Trump's opponents.
"We're going to come after you, whether it's criminally or civilly," Patel declared, adding that they would "use the Constitution to prosecute them."
Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle responded by urging Biden to issue blanket pardons to those on Trump's "enemies list."
"Trump has made it clear that he is more focused on settling personal scores than on protecting the American people," Boyle said.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed this week that more pardons are expected before Biden's term ends in January.
"He's thinking through that process very thoroughly," she said, though she declined to provide specific details.
The White House is also reportedly considering traditional presidential pardons for nonviolent drug offenders and others who have served time for various offences.
Officials are weighing the implications of pardoning individuals who have not committed crimes.
Find Out More...