Outgoing US President Joe Biden is considering a pre-emptive apology to his successor Donald Trump’s leading critics, multiple people familiar with the discussions told the BBC’s US partner CBS.
Trump – after vowing revenge against those who opposed him – is seeking to protect them from potential retaliation after taking office.
CBS reported that while Biden has discussed the possibility of a pardon with senior White House aides, no specific names have been formally recommended to him.
Sources told AFP that authorities are considering a message of amnesty for people who have not committed crimes.
That too in the background of the surrounding controversy Unconditional pardon for Biden’s son HunterHe was set to face sentencing this month on federal felony gun and tax offenses.
Republicans and some Democrats criticized the move, which came after the president previously said he would not take such action.
US media reported that Dr Anthony Fauci, who criticized Trump’s Covid response, and Senator-elect Adam Schiff of California, who led the first impeachment effort against Trump, could be in line for a potential pretrial pardon from Biden.
Like Schiff, other Democrats have had a role in or been investigated in Trump impeachment cases 2021 US Capitol RiotsThey can also be given.
In an interview with NPR last month, Schiff said he doesn’t think preemptive pardons are a good idea because he believes the courts are better equipped to withstand threats from Donald Trump.
“I think it’s clearly incomprehensible because it’s not worth much consideration,” he said of reports that such a pardon was being considered.
“I urge the president not to do that. I think it seems defensive and unnecessary.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier this week that more pardons could be expected before President Biden’s term ends in January, but did not provide further details.
“He’s thoroughly thinking through that process.”
Among those who could be granted a more traditional presidential pardon for crimes committed are non-violent drug offenders or others who have served time for various assaults, CBS reports.
Donald Trump is not the only person to threaten retaliation against those who have opposed him in the past. His nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, has said he will go after politicians and members of the media who he accuses of helping to overturn the results of the 2020 US presidential election.
“We’re going to come after you whether it’s criminal or civil,” Patel said.
“We’ll figure it out. But yes, we’re putting you all on notice… We’re going to use the Constitution to prosecute them for crimes they say they’ve always been guilty of but never committed.”
Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle responded by saying he thought Biden should offer a blanket pardon to those targeted on what he called Donald Trump’s “enemies list.”
“By selecting Kash Patel as his FBI director, Trump has made it clear that he is more focused on settling personal scores than protecting the American people or upholding the rule of law,” Boyle said.
