Overview

• President Joe Biden confirmed he is considering preemptive pardons for individuals who may be targeted by President-elect Donald Trump, though no decision has been made yet.
• Trump has publicly vowed to pursue retribution against political opponents, including figures like Liz Cheney, Anthony Fauci, and others, sparking concerns over potential prosecutions under his administration.
• Biden has already pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, citing what he called unfair targeting, and defended the decision despite previous statements that he would not do so.
• The president stated he warned Trump against pursuing political vendettas, describing such actions as unnecessary and counterproductive, though Trump reportedly did not respond definitively.
• Biden has until January 20, when Trump is inaugurated, to issue additional pardons, including consideration of clemency for low-level offenders and others unrelated to political conflicts.