The Biden administration's potential pardon considerations have sparked intense discussions among senior White House officials.
According to Fox News, White House counsel Ed Siskel is leading discussions with senior Biden aides about possible preemptive pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, Senator-elect Adam Schiff, and former Representative Liz Cheney.
The deliberations come in the wake of President Biden's recent sweeping pardon of his son Hunter for crimes spanning 11 years. While President Biden remains uninvolved in these latest pardon discussions, the conversations have gained momentum following Trump's appointment of Kash Patel as the next FBI director.
Representative Brendan Boyle, a Pennsylvania Democrat who recently hosted Biden, has emerged as a vocal supporter of blanket pardons. His stance stems from concerns about Patel's published "enemies list" and potential political retribution against those who opposed Trump's actions following the 2020 election.
Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey drew parallels to historical precedent, citing President Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon. He emphasized the potential necessity of such pardons given the current political climate.
Adam Schiff, one of the potential pardon recipients, expressed clear opposition to the idea. His statement reflects concerns about the implications of accepting such protection: "I would urge the president not to do that. I think it would seem defensive and unnecessary."
The timing of these pardon considerations coincides with the release of a substantial 500-page report from the House subcommittee investigating the government's COVID-19 pandemic response. The report specifically scrutinizes Fauci's role in various pandemic-related matters.
The investigation revealed Fauci's involvement in downplaying the lab leak theory early in 2020. His congressional testimony regarding NIH funding of gain-of-function research at coronavirus labs has been questioned in the report.
Further findings highlight inconsistencies in Fauci's explanations of key COVID-19 policies. The report notes his admission that the six-foot social distancing rule "sort of just appeared" without robust scientific backing. Similar concerns were raised about the scientific basis for K-12 public school mask mandates.
The consideration of preemptive pardons reflects growing concerns about potential investigations under a second Trump administration. The appointment of Kash Patel, known for his loyalty to Trump, has heightened these worries.
Democratic Representative Boyle articulated these concerns in a formal statement:
By choosing Kash Patel as his FBI Director, Trump has made it clear that he is more focused on settling personal scores than on protecting the American people or upholding the rule of law. Patel has openly published an 'enemies list' in his book, naming individuals he and Trump plan to investigate and prosecute — targeting those who stood up to Trump's lies, abuses of power, and baseless attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
The discussions involve careful consideration of whether the potential recipients would accept such pardons, given the possible implications of appearing to acknowledge wrongdoing.
The Biden administration faces a complex decision regarding preemptive pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, Senator-elect Adam Schiff, and former Representative Liz Cheney. These deliberations, led by White House counsel Ed Siskel and senior aides, come amid concerns about potential political retribution following Trump's recent FBI director appointment. The consideration of these pardons occurs against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny, particularly regarding Fauci's pandemic response and the roles of Schiff and Cheney in the January 6 investigations.
