In a recent interview with USA Today, departing President Joe Biden disclosed his contemplation over the issuance of preemptive pardons for former Congresswoman Liz Cheney and ex-senior health official Anthony Fauci.
The concept of preemptive pardons is not a common occurrence in the annals of American history, with only a trio of past presidents resorting to such measures.
According to The Post Millennial, Biden's consideration of these pardons stems from apprehensions surrounding potential investigations or prosecutions under the impending administration of Donald Trump. Recalling a post-election meeting with Trump, Biden recounted his attempts to dissuade the president-elect from pursuing politically charged actions against certain individuals. "I tried to make clear that there was no need, and it was counterintuitive for his interest to go back and try to settle scores," Biden elucidated. "He didn't say, 'No, I'm going to...' You know. He didn't reinforce it. He just basically listened."
Biden further indicated that his final decision on the issuance of these preemptive pardons would hinge a little bit on Trumps selections for pivotal administrative positions. This statement comes in the wake of Trump's nomination of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the role of attorney general and Kash Patel for the leadership of the FBI.
A report from December unveiled anxieties among Bidens senior aides about officials who might be subject to investigations or indictments once Trump assumes office again. Among those considered for a preemptive pardon was Senator-elect Adam Schiff. However, Schiff recommended against such actions, suggesting they could project an image of being defensive and unnecessary. This conservative viewpoint underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the office and avoiding unnecessary political maneuvering.
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