WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and his senior aides are discussing blanket pardons for those who could be targeted for prosecution by the incoming Trump administration, according to a source close to the president.
Multiple people familiar with the discussions tell Fwrd Axis News that Trump tapping Kash Patel, who has publicly vowed to go after Trump’s critics, as his nominee for FBI Director prompted the discussions. The names under consideration include retired Gen. Mark Milley, former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, Senator-elect Adam Schiff, and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Politico was the first to report the news.
Both White House Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zients and White House Counsel Ed Siskel are joining the discussions with Biden.
Biden and his aides are deeply concerned about the possibility of current and former officials facing inquiries and indictments. Also in consideration for pardons by Biden are other Democratic and Republican lawmakers who led the two impeachment cases against Trump or sat on the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Throughout his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to exact “retribution” on his political enemies.
The White House is also carefully considering all their options, worrying it would only fuel Trump’s criticisms and those who are offered pardons may not accept them.
Milley, who retired as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been vocal against Trump — calling him “fascist” and providing information for books and news reports detailing the former president’s behavior.
Cheney and Schiff have been the subject of attacks by Trump over their investigation into the attack on the U.S. Capitol and sat on the House Jan. 6 committee, which ended with their recommendation of charges against him.
Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, faced severe criticism over the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
