President Joe Biden, in a Jan. 5 interview, confirmed that he is contemplating issuing preemptive pardons. White House officials have indicated that Biden intends to grant additional pardons and commutations before his term concludes.
What Are Preemptive Pardons?
Preemptive pardons differ from those already issued by Biden and other presidents in their final days. They shield individuals from prosecution for charges that have not yet been filed.
Interview with USA TODAY
During the interview with USA TODAY’s Susan Page, Biden was questioned about issuing preemptive pardons to individuals like Liz Cheney and Anthony Fauci, both of whom have faced criticism from President-elect Donald Trump.
Biden shared that he had advised Trump against settling scores, but the former president did not provide a direct response to the suggestion of preemptive pardons.
When asked if he had made a decision, Biden responded that the issue was still under assessment.
Response from Trump Transition Team
The Trump transition team did not offer a comment on the matter. Inquiries made to the employers of Cheney and Fauci remained unanswered.
Biden recently honored Liz Cheney with a Presidential Citizens Medal for her work related to the investigation of the Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021. He praised Cheney and other recipients for their dedication to democracy and service during challenging times.
