Senior aides to US President Joe Biden are having a vigorous internal debate in the White House over issuing preemptive pardons to protect various public officials from potential prosecution, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is set to take over the presidency next month, reports Politico.
This urgency has increased after President-elect Donald Trump announced Kash Patel as his choice to lead the FBI, as Patel has made public statements about pursuing Trump’s critics. However, officials are cautious about issuing pardons to individuals who have not committed crimes, as it may seem unfair and validate Trump’s criticisms.
The discussions, led by White House Counsel Ed Siskel and Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, include both current incumbents and former officials who have drawn Trump’s ire. Potential candidates include Senator-elect Adam Schiff, former Representative Liz Cheney, and Dr. Fauci.
Trump previously said that “Cheney should go to jail with the rest of the Unselect Committee!” In this meeting, hosted by White House Counsel Ed Siskel, the administration is considering pardons for elected and appointed officials currently in office as well as former officials who have been targeted by Trump.
While Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and other senior aides are part of the deliberations, President Biden, who is dealing with the pardon case of his son Hunter, has not yet been included. A senior Democrat told Politico that even the beneficiaries of the potential pardon are not aware of it.
However, granting broad pardons will also create obstacles for those who have not committed any crime as it will give strength to Trump’s corruption allegations and many may also reject his pardon.
Senator-elect Adam Schiff and former GOP representative Liz Cheney, who were part of the January 6 committee, could face the wrath of Donald Trump once he comes to power, Politico reported.
Trump had earlier said that Cheney should “go to jail with the rest of the unselected committee!”
Another candidate for clemency is Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who faced criticism from the right wing during the pandemic.
A White House spokesperson declined to comment but did not deny discussions, Politico reported.