Biden Weighs Preemptive Pardons as Trump Prepares for Return “`

President Biden has characterized President-elect Trump’s plans to prosecute political rivals as unacceptable.

President Joe Biden is weighing the possibility of issuing preemptive pardons to individuals who might become targets of President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration.

Trump, victorious over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, is slated to reassume the presidency on January 20th.

“The matter is under consideration… but no decision has been made,” Biden told reporters at the White House on Friday, in response to a question about potential preemptive pardons. “The specifics of any pardons will depend on Trump’s statements and intentions in the coming days.”

Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race in July due to concerns within the Democratic Party following a June debate with Trump that raised questions about his electability. He subsequently endorsed Harris, who lost the general election to Trump.

The president-elect has indicated his intention to prosecute those he deems “enemies,” including Harris and “the most corrupt president in US history, Joe Biden, and his entire family.”

Trump also criticized Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter in December. Reversing a prior pledge, Biden pardoned Hunter, who was convicted of tax evasion and gun charges and was due for sentencing in December.

Trump called the decision a “miscarriage of justice,” referencing those imprisoned for the January 6th Capitol riots. “Does Joe’s pardon of Hunter include the J-6 prisoners, who have been jailed for years? Such an injustice!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

The president-elect has also called for investigations into former President Barack Obama and Liz Cheney, a prominent Republican critic of Trump.

Before the November 2024 election, Trump threatened unprecedented prosecutions for individuals he accused of election irregularities. “Be aware that this legal action extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials,” Trump posted on Truth Social. He previously alleged widespread fraud in the 2020 election.

Trump also stated last year that he would dismiss Jack Smith, the Justice Department’s special counsel investigating the president-elect. Smith resigned on Friday.

Biden described Trump’s intentions to prosecute political opponents as “outrageous.”

When asked if he would pardon himself, Biden rejected the idea, stating, “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

The president likely has the constitutional authority to issue broad preemptive pardons for past federal offenses, even without pending charges. However, this power doesn’t extend to state crimes or future offenses. The pardons Biden might consider are generally within his executive authority.