Biden Considering Pardons for Critics Threatened by Trump/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden is contemplating pardons for individuals criticized or threatened by President-elect Donald Trump. With 10 days remaining in his presidency, Biden faces the challenge of balancing norms and protecting political opponents from potential retaliation under Trump’s administration. Critics warn such pardons could imply wrongdoing, even as Biden rejects the notion of pardoning himself.
Biden’s Pardon Considerations: Quick Looks
- Pardon Deliberations: Biden is weighing whether to issue preemptive pardons for critics targeted by Trump.
- Targeted Individuals: Trump has criticized figures like Liz Cheney, Bennie Thompson, and special counsel Jack Smith.
- Biden’s Stand: The president denies wrongdoing and has no intention of pardoning himself.
- Critics’ Concerns: Some, like Adam Kinzinger, oppose pardons, fearing they imply guilt despite innocence.
- Media Criticism: Biden condemned Meta for removing fact-checking, calling it harmful to American justice.
Biden Considering Pardons for Critics Threatened by Trump
Deep Look
Biden Weighs Preemptive Pardons for Trump Critics
President Joe Biden said Friday he is considering issuing preemptive pardons for individuals who have been criticized or threatened by President-elect Donald Trump. With just days remaining in his presidency, Biden aims to protect political opponents and allies from potential retaliatory investigations or prosecutions under Trump’s administration.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Biden highlighted the seriousness of Trump’s rhetoric. “The idea that [Trump] would punish people for not adhering to what he thinks should be policy related to his well-being is just outrageous,” he said.
Key Targets of Trump’s Criticism
Trump has frequently targeted high-profile figures who opposed him, including:
- Liz Cheney: The former Republican congresswoman played a key role in the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
- Bennie Thompson: The Mississippi Democrat chaired the same committee.
- Jack Smith: The special counsel who charged Trump over efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Biden rejected the notion of pardoning himself, saying, “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Criticism of Preemptive Pardons
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, another Republican on the January 6 committee, criticized the idea of accepting a pardon. “The second you take a pardon, it looks like you’re guilty of something,” Kinzinger said, adding he has no regrets about standing against Trump.
Kinzinger’s remarks highlight the dilemma Biden faces: issuing pardons could protect critics from Trump but might also imply they committed offenses, even if they are innocent.
Concerns Over Media Shifts
Biden also criticized Meta for ending fact-checking on Facebook and replacing it with user-generated “community notes.” The move aligns Facebook with platforms like X, owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk, and comes as the company seeks to accommodate Trump’s incoming administration.
“It’s just completely contrary to everything America’s about,” Biden said, calling Meta’s decision “really shameful.” He emphasized the importance of truth in combating misinformation.
Restoring Norms Amid a Challenging Transition
Biden’s final days in office have been marked by efforts to restore norms disrupted during Trump’s previous term. However, issuing preemptive pardons would stretch presidential powers in unprecedented ways, underscoring the complexities of protecting democratic institutions while avoiding perceptions of overreach.
As Biden’s presidency winds down, the balance between safeguarding justice and preserving tradition remains a central challenge.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.