Biden to Give Preemptive Pardon to J6 Commitee

In a striking turn of events, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), former chair of the January 6 House Select Committee, has said he would accept a preemptive pardon from President Joe Biden. Thompson’s comments, made during a Thursday interview with CNN’s Jim Acosta, come as tensions rise over former President Donald Trump’s vows to pursue legal action against committee members.

“We’ve Done Nothing Wrong”

Thompson, who led the eight-member Democrat-dominated committee investigating the Capitol riots of January 6, 2021, strongly defended the group’s work. When Acosta asked if he feared potential legal consequences under a renewed Trump administration, Thompson was resolute. “We’ve not done anything wrong,” he said. “We are members of Congress operating under our constitutional authority.”

When pressed on whether he would accept a pardon from Biden, Thompson replied, “If [Biden] offers it, to me or other members of the committee, I would accept it. But it’s his choice.”

Thompson also praised the committee’s bipartisan witnesses, many of whom were Republicans, stating, “They did a great job under oath. There is nothing on the record that isn’t on point.”

Accusations of Misconduct Surface

Thompson’s assurances stand in stark contrast to accusations from Republicans. In January 2024, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight, alleged that the committee had “deleted records and hid evidence” before the Republican takeover of the House.

Loudermilk’s report claims over 100 files were either deleted or password-protected, including video recordings of key witness interviews. Some deletions reportedly occurred mere days before Republicans assumed control. Loudermilk stated, “The Select Committee failed to turn over crucial evidence used in their primetime hearings.”

One controversial revelation involved testimony from Anthony Ornato, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff. His statements suggested the Trump administration had requested National Guard support for January 6, contradicting the committee’s findings.

Trump’s Fiery Response

Trump, who has consistently criticized the January 6 committee, took to Truth Social earlier this year to denounce what he called an “illegal deletion of evidence.” In a January 1 post, Trump wrote, “Why did Liz Cheney and the January 6th Committee destroy most of the evidence? This sabotage makes it impossible for my lawyers to properly prepare my defense.”

Trump has also claimed he ordered National Guard troops to secure the Capitol ahead of January 6. According to transcripts obtained by Loudermilk’s subcommittee, Trump directed military leaders to “do whatever it takes” to ensure safety. However, then-acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller reportedly refused. “There is absolutely no way I was putting U.S. military forces at the Capitol,” Miller told investigators in 2021.

The Pelosi Paradox

Adding to the complexity, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi authorized thousands of National Guard troops to secure Washington, D.C., in the aftermath of the riots. Critics have questioned why similar measures weren’t taken preemptively, despite Trump’s alleged requests.

The controversy surrounding January 6 remains deeply polarized. As Trump eyes a potential return to the White House, the debate over accountability—and whether pardons should play a role—continues to dominate the political landscape.