Joe Biden has confirmed that he is considering issuing preemptive pardons for former two people who honestly shouldn’t receive any pardon given what they’ve done to this country. These are former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the controversial former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. While neither has been charged with or formally investigated for any crimes, the Biden administration reportedly fears that could change under the incoming Trump administration.
In an interview with USA Today published Wednesday, Biden acknowledged the rumors, explaining his reasoning behind the unusual move. “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 said, recalling a meeting with President-elect Trump after the election. Biden said Trump listened but did not commit to forgoing investigations into figures like Fauci and Cheney.
Preemptive pardons are rare in U.S. history, having been used only three times by previous presidents. Biden has already made headlines for issuing a pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, despite previously suggesting he would not intervene in his legal troubles. Now, with the possibility of high-profile prosecutions under the Trump administration, Biden appears ready to take the extraordinary step again.
Trump allies, including Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have publicly called for Fauci to face legal action over his role in funding controversial gain-of-function research and handling the pandemic. Cheney, on the other hand, has drawn ire from Trump’s base for her role in leading impeachment efforts against him and her staunch opposition to his policies.
Biden’s decision to consider pardons hinges, in part, on who Trump appoints to key positions in his administration. Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, and Kash Patel, nominated to head the FBI, are expected to take a hardline approach on holding government officials accountable for perceived misconduct.
According to USA Today, Biden is concerned that pursuing prosecutions could deepen the nation’s political divides. “He didn’t say, ‘No, I’m going to …’ You know,” Biden said of Trump. “He didn’t reinforce it. He just basically listened.”
Critics of Biden’s move argue that preemptive pardons could set a dangerous precedent, while supporters see them as a safeguard against politicized investigations. As Trump prepares to take office, the pardons for Cheney and Fauci remain a contentious symbol of the ongoing power struggle in Washington.
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