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Considering Blanket Pardons: Biden’s Strategy to Protect Against Trump’s Promised ‘Retribution

In Citizen
January 18, 2025

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The Biden administration is considering issuing blanket pardons in anticipation of potential retaliation from President-elect Donald J. Trump, who has appointed individuals known for their partisan views to key law enforcement positions. This has raised concerns that Trump may seek retribution against those he sees as his enemies.

Written by Peter Baker and Erica L. Green

Reporting live from the

President Biden’s team is discussing the possibility of granting pardons to a group of individuals who are seen as enemies by President-elect Donald J. Trump. This is to shield them from the retaliation that Trump has promised once he assumes office. Sources familiar with the conversation have revealed this information.

The suggestion is to proactively grant presidential pardons to a group of current and former government officials for any potential crimes committed over several years, in order to prevent the next president from carrying out a promised campaign of retaliation.

Officials at the White House are concerned that President Trump’s choices for key positions in the Justice Department suggest that he may act on his promises of seeking revenge. While they do not believe the individuals under consideration have committed any crimes, there is a fear that investigations, even if they do not lead to charges, could have long-lasting financial and professional consequences for those involved.

The topic of blanket pardons, as mentioned in a Politico report, is mainly being discussed among staff members. Sources familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity to discuss internal discussions, revealed that President Biden has discussed this issue with senior members of his team. This conversation follows President Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter for gun and tax charges in order to prevent him from going to prison.

During a briefing on Friday, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, did not want to talk about blanket pardons. She did mention that President Biden was looking into potential executive clemency actions before his term ends. She stated that the president is reviewing options and more information will be provided in the future.

Before leaving office, President Biden pardoned his son, clearing him of any past or future crimes he may have been involved in since 2014. This move is likely to prevent the Trump administration’s Justice Department from pursuing any allegations against Hunter Biden that were not deemed worthy of charges by the prosecutor who has been investigating him.

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