Biden Still Considering Pardons for Trump Liz Cheney and Fauci?

As President Joe Biden prepares for the end of his term, he has sparked fresh controversy over his consideration of preemptive pardons for some of Donald Trump’s fiercest political opponents. Among those reportedly under consideration are former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and others who may face retribution if Trump takes the White House again.

In a candid interview with USA Today’s Washington Bureau chief Susan Page, Biden revealed that he is still undecided on whether to grant pardons to individuals who could be targets of Trump’s wrath. This statement comes after a year of heated debates surrounding pardons and clemency.

Biden’s remarks on the issue have sparked a fierce backlash from Republicans, who argue that the move could undermine the integrity of the presidency and could be seen as an attempt to manipulate the legal system. “These pardons would be ‘corrupt as heck,'” warned Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), a staunch critic of the Biden administration. “The public can see what’s happening here.”

The President’s Dilemma: Preemptive Pardons or Political Fallout?

Biden explained that he had encouraged Trump not to “settle scores” after the former president’s 2020 election loss, but those words, it seems, may not have had the desired impact. “He didn’t say, ‘No, I’m going to…’ He just basically listened,” Biden recalled.

As Biden nears the end of his presidency, talk of pardons has intensified. After issuing a controversial pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, for felony charges related to gun and tax violations, speculation grew about Biden potentially using his clemency powers more broadly. Biden’s critics view this as part of a pattern of questionable decisions.

In December, Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals, breaking records and furthering the narrative that his clemency powers were being exercised in a way that could be seen as partisan. Yet, Biden has faced pushback from within his own party, with some arguing that his proposed pardons could establish a dangerous precedent, one that future presidents might abuse.

A Divided Democratic Party

While some Democrats, like Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), advocate for such pardons, fearing Trump will act with revenge and authoritarianism, others express caution. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), another figure mentioned in the pardon discussions, publicly stated that he would not want future presidents handing out blanket pardons. However, Schiff stopped short of rejecting the idea outright, leaving the door open for a future pardon.

“It’s clear that Trump will seek retribution against those he perceives as enemies,” Markey warned. “If we see any signs of that in the coming months, I would urge President Biden to step in before it’s too late.”

Biden’s team is reportedly weighing these calls carefully. Cheney, once a rising star in the GOP, and Fauci, the former face of the nation’s COVID-19 response, are seen by many as prime targets of Trump’s possible vendetta.

A Nation on Edge

America now finds itself at a crossroads. Should Biden grant these pardons, he risks solidifying a legacy marked by accusations of political favoritism. But, without action, he may fuel fears that a Trump presidency would usher in a new era of political persecution.

For now, the question remains whether Biden will take this step in the final days of his presidency or leave it to his successor. The stakes are high, and the outcome could reverberate for generations.