Biden Team Considers Blanket Pardons Before Trump’s Promised ‘Retribution’

As President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office in January, his transition team is reportedly considering issuing blanket pardons to protect former government officials and employees from potential legal action by the Trump administration.

According to sources close to the Biden team, the incoming administration is concerned about President Trump’s threats of “retribution” against those who have opposed him or worked against his agenda during his time in office. Trump has hinted at using his presidential powers to target individuals who he feels have betrayed him, and there are fears that he could use his remaining time in office to launch investigations or take other punitive actions against his perceived enemies.

In response to these concerns, Biden’s team is said to be weighing the possibility of issuing a series of preemptive pardons to shield officials who served in the Obama administration, as well as those who have been involved in the impeachment proceedings against Trump. This would prevent them from being targeted by any investigations or legal actions initiated by the outgoing administration.

While blanket pardons are a controversial and rarely used tool in American politics, they have been employed in the past to protect individuals from potential political persecution. President Gerald Ford famously pardoned his predecessor, Richard Nixon, for any crimes he may have committed during his time in office, in an effort to heal the nation after the Watergate scandal.

However, critics of the idea argue that blanket pardons could set a dangerous precedent and undermine the rule of law. They worry that it could be seen as a way of granting immunity to those who have engaged in corruption or other illegal activities, without holding them accountable for their actions.

It remains to be seen whether the Biden team will ultimately decide to issue blanket pardons before Trump leaves office. The situation is fluid and evolving rapidly, with new developments and revelations emerging every day. As the transition period continues, all eyes will be on how the incoming administration chooses to navigate the delicate balance between accountability and reconciliation in the wake of a tumultuous and divisive election.