U.S. President Joe Biden is weighing whether to issue sweeping pardons for officials and allies who the White House fears may become unjust targets of the incoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump. This preemptive move would be a new and risky exercise of presidential emergency constitutional powers.
So far, discussions have mainly taken place at the level of White House lawyers. However, Biden himself has discussed the issue with some senior aides, according to sources familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. No decisions have been made, they said, and it is possible that Biden may ultimately decide to take no action.
Historically, pardons are typically granted to those who have been convicted of certain crimes—usually those who have already been sentenced—but Biden’s team is considering issuing them for individuals who have not even been investigated, let alone charged, reports AP.
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