Biden considers preemptive pardons as Trump makes a comeback
Outgoing President Joe Biden has described Donald Trump’s plans to prosecute political opponents as “outrageous.” Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The outgoing president has labeled his successor’s intentions to prosecute political opponents as “outrageous.”
US President Joe Biden is contemplating the possibility of issuing preemptive pardons for individuals who may be targeted by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Following his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, Trump is set to take office on January 20.
“There’s still consideration... but no decision,” Biden told reporters at the White House on Friday when asked about potential preemptive pardons. “It depends on some of the language and expectations that Trump broadcasts in the last couple days here as to what he’s going to do.”
After withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race in July due to concerns within the Democratic Party stemming from a June debate performance against Trump, Biden ultimately endorsed Harris, who lost the general election to Trump.
Trump has indicated a desire to prosecute those he deems “enemies,” including Harris and what he has described as “the most corrupt president in the history of the United States of America, Joe Biden, and the entire Biden crime family.”
Additionally, Trump criticized Biden for his decision to pardon his son Hunter in December. In a break from his earlier commitment not to do so, Biden pardoned Hunter, who faced sentencing for tax evasion and gun charges.
Calling the pardon a “miscarriage of justice,” Trump referenced those imprisoned for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riots, asking, “Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” he wrote on Truth Social.
The president-elect has also demanded investigations into former President Barack Obama and Liz Cheney, a prominent Republican critic of Trump.
As the November 2024 election approaches, Trump has warned of unprecedented prosecution for individuals he accuses of potential election fraud. “Please beware this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials,” he posted on Truth Social, asserting claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.
Moreover, Trump stated last year that he would dismiss Jack Smith, the special counsel from the Justice Department supervising criminal investigations into him. On Friday, Smith resigned.
Biden described Trump’s plans to prosecute political rivals as “outrageous.” When asked if he would consider pardoning himself, Biden rejected the idea, asserting, “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
The president likely has the constitutional authority to issue broad preemptive pardons for past federal offenses, even if no charges have been filed yet. However, this power does not extend to state crimes or future offenses. The types of pardons Biden may contemplate generally fall within his executive authority.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
US President Joe Biden is contemplating the possibility of issuing preemptive pardons for individuals who may be targeted by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Following his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, Trump is set to take office on January 20.
“There’s still consideration... but no decision,” Biden told reporters at the White House on Friday when asked about potential preemptive pardons. “It depends on some of the language and expectations that Trump broadcasts in the last couple days here as to what he’s going to do.”
After withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race in July due to concerns within the Democratic Party stemming from a June debate performance against Trump, Biden ultimately endorsed Harris, who lost the general election to Trump.
Trump has indicated a desire to prosecute those he deems “enemies,” including Harris and what he has described as “the most corrupt president in the history of the United States of America, Joe Biden, and the entire Biden crime family.”
Additionally, Trump criticized Biden for his decision to pardon his son Hunter in December. In a break from his earlier commitment not to do so, Biden pardoned Hunter, who faced sentencing for tax evasion and gun charges.
Calling the pardon a “miscarriage of justice,” Trump referenced those imprisoned for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riots, asking, “Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” he wrote on Truth Social.
The president-elect has also demanded investigations into former President Barack Obama and Liz Cheney, a prominent Republican critic of Trump.
As the November 2024 election approaches, Trump has warned of unprecedented prosecution for individuals he accuses of potential election fraud. “Please beware this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials,” he posted on Truth Social, asserting claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.
Moreover, Trump stated last year that he would dismiss Jack Smith, the special counsel from the Justice Department supervising criminal investigations into him. On Friday, Smith resigned.
Biden described Trump’s plans to prosecute political rivals as “outrageous.” When asked if he would consider pardoning himself, Biden rejected the idea, asserting, “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
The president likely has the constitutional authority to issue broad preemptive pardons for past federal offenses, even if no charges have been filed yet. However, this power does not extend to state crimes or future offenses. The types of pardons Biden may contemplate generally fall within his executive authority.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
