Biden weighs preemptive pardons for critics targeted by Trump: US media

By Zehra Nur Celik

US President Joe Biden is reportedly considering issuing broad preemptive pardons for prominent critics of President-elect Donald Trump from both political parties, aiming to protect them from potential legal actions or reprisals under the incoming administration, according to local media.

Trump has repeatedly vowed to seek revenge against his political enemies once in office, and Kash Patel, his nominee to head the FBI, wrote a book with a list of 60 so-called “Deep State” figures he could use government resources to target, though without credible accusations.

Sources familiar with the discussions said Biden has deliberated the idea with senior White House officials, though no formal recommendations or specific names have been finalized, CBS News reported.

The potential list of beneficiaries includes figures who were central to contentious moments during Trump’s first term and have been publicly lambasted by the incoming president.

They include Dr. Anthony Fauci, who managed the nation’s COVID-19 response and served as Biden’s top science adviser, and retired Gen. Mark A. Milley, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, who has called Trump a "fascist" and provided information on the events surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.

Others under consideration for pardons reportedly include California Senator-elect Adam Schiff, and other Democratic and Republican lawmakers involved in Trump’s impeachment proceedings, including former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a vocal Trump critic who opposed his reelection bid.

Democrats are reportedly divided over the issue, with some saying issuing pardons would imply the figures had done something wrong in the face of no credible accusations. Others, however, point to Trump's vow to use the government to go after his enemies, saying he could damage their reputations and force them to pay lawyers for years to fight off baseless charges.