Democrats in panic: Joe Biden weighs preemptive pardons

Senior aides to President Joe Biden are locked in intense internal discussions over the possibility of issuing preemptive pardons to a wide range of current and former public officials who could face legal targeting by President-elect Donald Trump, according to senior Democrats familiar with the matter.

The urgency of the debate has grown since Trump announced Kash Patel as his pick for FBI director. Patel, a staunch ally, has openly pledged to pursue Trump’s critics, intensifying fears within Biden’s administration.

Officials are grappling with the unprecedented nature of issuing pardons to individuals who haven’t been accused of crimes, a move fraught with political risks. Such pardons could be perceived as an admission of guilt, potentially amplifying Trump’s criticisms, while also facing rejection from those offered them.

Potential targets for preemptive pardons include members of the January 6 Committee, such as Sen.-elect Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), both vocal Trump critics. Trump has previously called for Cheney and others to face jail time. Another name being considered is Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, whose handling of the COVID-19 pandemic made him a divisive figure.

These deliberations highlight the growing anxiety among Democrats about how far Trump might go to exact political revenge. Biden’s recent blanket pardon of his son Hunter, which spanned an 11-year period, underscores the administration’s concerns about potential prosecutions once Trump returns to power.

* Politico contributed to this article.