President Biden Still Considering Pre-emptive Pardons for Political Foes, Including Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci
In his final interview with a print publication before leaving the White House, President Biden said he is still undecided on whether to issue pre-emptive pardons to potential targets of former President Donald Trump, including former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci. The interview with USA Today’s Washington Bureau chief Susan Page was conducted over the weekend in the Oval Office and released on Wednesday.
Biden told Page that he met with Trump after his November election victory and urged him not to “try to settle scores,” adding that Trump did not explicitly rule out retaliating against his political foes. The president has been considering pardons for people who may face Trump’s wrath, including Cheney, Fauci, and others.
The reports of potential pre-emptive pardons surfaced after Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, following his conviction on felony gun and tax charges. The move raised concerns about the potential for a president to use their executive power to settle political scores.
Some Democrats have warned that issuing broad-based pardons for Trump’s political targets could set a dangerous precedent, while others have publicly advocated for the pardons to prevent Trump from exacting revenge. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., has reportedly been considered for one of the pre-emptive pardons, but has not publicly stated whether he would accept one.
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., has shown support for Biden’s consideration of pre-emptive pardons, citing the potential for Trump to act in a “dictatorial” or “fascistic” manner in the event of his return to office. Markey believes that if it appears likely Trump will seek revenge against his political opponents after the midterm elections, Biden should consider issuing pardons to prevent harm to those who have been targeted.
