Biden Administration Weighs Preemptive Pardons Amid Trump’s Return

[Social Media]

 

President Joe Biden’s inner circle is reportedly debating the unprecedented possibility of issuing preemptive pardons to current and former officials who could be targeted by a second Trump administration. Senior Democrats familiar with these discussions describe heightened concerns about potential investigations and indictments against those who have been critical of Donald Trump.  

 

The urgency around this matter has increased following Trump’s announcement that Kash Patel, a staunch ally and vocal critic of Trump’s adversaries, would lead the FBI. Patel has openly pledged to pursue those who opposed Trump, intensifying fears within the Biden administration about a potential wave of reprisals.  

 

According to insiders, White House officials are divided over the implications of granting blanket pardons to individuals who have not been accused of crimes. While some view the move as a protective measure, others worry it could inadvertently validate Trump’s narrative of corruption and misconduct. Additionally, there are concerns that some individuals offered pardons may reject them, complicating the strategy.  

 

The discussions reportedly encompass a wide range of potential pardon recipients, including both current officeholders and former officials who have drawn the ire of Trump and his allies. Among those believed to be under consideration are figures like Senator-elect Adam Schiff, a member of Congress’ January 6 Committee, and former Republican Representative Liz Cheney. Trump has previously called for members of the committee, including Cheney, to face legal consequences, declaring, “Cheney should go to Jail along with the rest of the Unselect Committee!”  

 

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is also said to be a possible candidate for a pardon. Fauci became a frequent target of conservative criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic, making him a potential focus of renewed scrutiny under a Trump administration.  

 

The deliberations are being led by White House counsel Ed Siskel and include other senior aides such as Chief of Staff Jeff Zients. While Biden has not yet been involved in the broader discussions, his recent decision to grant an expansive pardon to his son Hunter Biden—covering an 11-year period—illustrates the administration’s acute awareness of the political risks tied to potential prosecutions.  

 

Historically, end-of-administration pardons have been contentious, with past examples such as President George H.W. Bush’s pardon of Caspar Weinberger and President Bill Clinton’s pardon of Marc Rich sparking debates. However, the current situation, fueled by fears of Trump-led retribution, appears far more fraught.  

 

These deliberations highlight the profound anxieties among high-ranking Democrats about Trump’s anticipated return to power and the lengths to which his administration might go in targeting political adversaries. Whether or not Biden’s administration proceeds with preemptive pardons remains to be seen, but the discussions themselves underscore the extraordinary stakes of the current political landscape.  

 

Based on a report by Politico 2024-12-06

 

 

 

[Cryingdick]

Doesn't sound like it would be legal. I am no expert but if you haven't been accused of a crime but are exempt from any prosecution that seems more like immunity.

[thaibeachlovers]

There was a post a while back saying a pardon can only be granted if one has confessed or been found guilty.

That's never going to apply if they haven't even been accused of a crime.

 

Is this silly season?

Are the Dem's proving how bonkers they are?

 

I guess having attempted to use the Justice System to cancel Trump, they think they can bend the rules to suit themselves.

 

BTW, if they managed to do so, just imagine what Trump could do with preemptive pardons? If they could do so, then so can every president in the future.

[Cryingdick]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

There was a post a while back saying a pardon can only be granted if one has confessed or been found guilty.

That's never going to apply if they haven't even been accused of a crime.

 

Is this silly season?

Are the Dem's proving how bonkers they are?

 

I guess having attempted to use the Justice System to cancel Trump, they think they can bend the rules to suit themselves.

 

BTW, if they managed to do so, just imagine what Trump could do with preemptive pardons? If they could do so, then so can every president in the future.

Yeah. It is pretty crazy. i am beginning to worry Joe will do something like pardon every federal prisoner.

[TedG]

Sounds like they have something to hide. 

[RichardColeman]

I would say that since Biden was found basically to be mentally unfit for any prosecution in the 'classified papers' case, where he allowed a prosecution of Trump for the same thing he was found to have done, then I think ANY president - Biden or Trump or whoever, should have to take a cognitive test prior to pardoning anyone. If I was Trump I would re-open every case he pardons on the ground Biden is/was not cognitively fit to pardon anyone.

[JonnyF]

An incredibly dangerous precedent. Pre-emptive pardons? Lunacy. The stuff of banana republics. I guess they are extremely worried that their illegal machinations are going to be exposed by Trump's administration.

 

Just leave Joe, you've done enough damage.

[Purdey]

Thank goodness the president is immune from prosecution now.

 

[James105]

The insanity of not kicking the loser out of office immediately or the day after the election continues.   

[illisdean]

Just in....FYI

 

 

[wwest5829]

Congress passes a law stating that any government official/employee accused of a crime will bear no financial burden if found innocent or case dropped/dismissed and that the financial burden falls to the accuser personally (not the tax payers). That should bring both the ability to go after any valid corruption while forcing some deep thinking before bringing charges. Looking for balance …

[wwest5829]

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

Thank goodness the president is immune from prosecution now.

 

Thanks to Trump and his SCOTUS …

[illisdean]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

worried that their illegal machinations are going to be exposed by Trump's administration

I keep hearing rumblings that Trump will prosecute those involved with child / sex trafficking, be whomever they may be. Biden may start handing out pardons, going door to door like the mormons handing out bibles. Can expect he'll pardon his brother and maybe himself too.

[Grusa]

Our ex-colony is so obviously unfit to govern itself, perhaps we should take it back.

 

Oh wait............ so are we!

[Tropicalevo]

Brilliant.

You could not make this up.

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

Brilliant.

You could not make this up.

 

Indeed.

 

If Biden had a legacy to destroy this would surely do it.

 

Fortunately for him...

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, illisdean said:

Just in....FYI

 

 

No storming of the Capitol expected.

[JonnyF]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No storming of the Capitol expected.

 

Rioting/Looting much more in keeping with leftist traditions. 

[Chomper Higgot]

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Rioting/Looting much more in keeping with leftist traditions. 

Off thing to say for someone who has spent so much time defending and or obfuscating the exact same behavior by rightwing racist mobs in the UK.

[JonnyF]

8 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Off thing to say for someone who has spent so much time defending and or obfuscating the exact same behavior by rightwing racist mobs in the UK.

 

Nonsense. 😆

 

I have never defended rioting (by either side) as you well know. 

[thaipo7]

6 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

Doesn't sound like it would be legal. I am no expert but if you haven't been accused of a crime but are exempt from any prosecution that seems more like immunity.

Does anything done by the Biden Administration been legal?  How many things must I point out???  Who ever heard of a pre-emptive pardon.  If you did nothing wrong why the need for something never needed before?  His whole 4 years should have been pre-emptive.

[illisdean]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No storming of the Capitol expected.

ah yes....the great commonwealth of PA belongs now to MAGA Trump country  and NOT the cackling queen coconut drunken failure Kamala, not more than one month ago today.

 

 

[illisdean]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No storming of the Capitol expected.

Well, you never know what psy-op or entrapment schemes the FBI has planned as they did with the more than 200 undercover agents in attendance at the capitol Jan 6, 2021. Try to keep up pee-wee.

[candide]

28 minutes ago, illisdean said:

Well, you never know what psy-op or entrapment schemes the FBI has planned as they did with the more than 200 undercover agents in attendance at the capitol Jan 6, 2021. Try to keep up pee-wee.

What a ridiculous conspiracy theory! 🤣

[herfiehandbag]

10 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

Doesn't sound like it would be legal. I am no expert but if you haven't been accused of a crime but are exempt from any prosecution that seems more like immunity.

Can't quite recall the circumstances where I have heard that before...

[novacova]

13 hours ago, Social Media said:

While some view the move as a protective measure

Why on earth would they be concerned if innocent? But of course preemptively blanket pardoning for the un-accused would only be necessary for criminals aware of their crimes.

[herfiehandbag]

4 hours ago, thaipo7 said:

Does anything done by the Biden Administration been legal?  How many things must I point out???  Who ever heard of a pre-emptive pardon.  If you did nothing wrong why the need for something never needed before?  His whole 4 years should have been pre-emptive.

Indeed, the problem is that the possible new director of the FBI, along with let us not forget the President Elect, are publicly stating their intention to go after those who served the Biden election. So, for example, Liz Cheyney is facing possible jail, not for actually breaking the law, but for upsetting the orange cheeseburger guzzler in chief!

 

That is, like the idea of pre-emptive pardons, an unprecedented idea.

 

The whole idea can in truth be fairly represented as an abuse of the Presidential pardon powers, but the sort of retributions planned, boasted of, and we must expect intended to be carried out are a complete abuse of government powers, which will be rolled over by a politicised judiciary.

 

As with his son, I think that Biden has been left with little choice.

[transam]

3 hours ago, illisdean said:

Well, you never know what psy-op or entrapment schemes the FBI has planned as they did with the more than 200 undercover agents in attendance at the capitol Jan 6, 2021. Try to keep up pee-wee.

No link this time........?   

[transam]

Trump, the White Knight, and his followers here, I thought this funny, now open it and move to 4 mins12 secs........😂

 

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, illisdean said:

Well, you never know what psy-op or entrapment schemes the FBI has planned as they did with the more than 200 undercover agents in attendance at the capitol Jan 6, 2021. Try to keep up pee-wee.

You had two cracks at that and neither made any sense.