Representatives of US President Joe Biden's administration are discussing the possibility of him preemptively pardoning some individuals who are believed to be in the process of being prosecuted after the US leader-elect takes office Donald Trump, writes Politico.
According to Democratic media sources, “key Biden aides are having a lively debate over whether to preemptively pardon a number of former and current officials”. Regarding these people, after Trump's "return to the White House" legal proceedings or inspections may be initiated.
Among those mentioned are Senate-elect Adam Schiff, Democrat of California, a former member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Liz Cheney, who represented Wyoming in the lower house of Congress, and the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Disease USA Anthony Fauci. The three have been sharply criticized by Trump.
Among those currently discussing the issue are White House Legal Counsel Edward Siskel and White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zints. Biden himself is not yet involved in these consultations.
Biden previously signed an executive order to pardon his son Hunter, despite repeated public vows not to. The pardon applies to two cases in Delaware and California. Hunter Biden was charged with violations of Delaware's firearms law. He was found guilty. In California, the son of an American leader pleaded guilty to tax evasion.
Trump called the current president's decision an abuse of power and a miscarriage of justice. He will replace Biden in office on January 20, 2025.