President Joe Biden faces a critical decision regarding potential pre-emptive pardons for prominent Trump critics as his first term nears its end.
According to Daily Mail, Biden confirmed in an interview with USA Today's Susan Page that he has not yet made a decision about issuing preemptive pardons to several individuals, including former Rep. Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
The consideration of pardons comes amid reports that White House aides have been discussing the possibility, though they haven't formally presented the proposal to Biden. The potential pardons would also extend to other Trump critics, including Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff, who has already declined any potential pardon offer.
During the interview, Biden shared details of his previous meeting with Trump at the White House following the election. The president stated that he had specifically cautioned Trump against pursuing political vendettas. Biden recalled spending two hours with Trump, during which he attempted to discourage any plans for political retaliation.
Biden quoted Trump as being surprisingly complimentary about some of his economic achievements, marking a stark contrast to Trump's public campaign rhetoric. The conversation's tone suggested a more nuanced private interaction between the two leaders.
When asked about Trump's response to his advice against settling scores, Biden revealed that while Trump didn't explicitly agree or disagree, he merely listened without reinforcing the suggestion. Biden said:
I was very straightforward with Trump when he got elected. I invited him immediately to the White House. I spent two hours with him.
The article also revealed significant changes to Dr. Fauci's security arrangements. After nearly two years of taxpayer-funded protection costing $15 million, the U.S. Marshals Service has terminated its security detail for the former COVID-19 response leader.
This change occurred on September 30, 2024, just days before the election. The decision affects Fauci, who had previously expressed concerns about his safety, stating during a book tour that he feared for his life.
The security modification comes as Trump's campaign promises include plans to trim what he calls "bloated" federal government spending. The former president has established a new agency, DOGE, headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, specifically targeting such expenditures.
The president now has just 12 days remaining to make decisions on pardons while dealing with multiple pressing issues. His schedule has been disrupted by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, forcing him to cancel official appointments.
Biden's immediate agenda includes attending President Jimmy Carter's funeral in Washington, D.C., followed by his final official visit with Pope Francis in Rome. These commitments add complexity to the timing of any potential pardon decisions.
The situation has gained additional significance with Trump's appointment of former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to head the Justice Department and Kash Patel to lead the FBI, with the latter openly stating his intention to pursue Trump's critics.
President Biden's consideration of pre-emptive pardons for Liz Cheney, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and potentially others represents a significant moment in his presidency. This decision comes as he balances multiple priorities, including natural disasters, diplomatic obligations, and the implications of Trump's planned leadership appointments to key justice institutions. The outcome of these deliberations could have lasting effects on American political dynamics, particularly given the 12-day window remaining for such presidential actions.
