The List: Here's Who the Biden WH Is Eyeing for More Shocking Pardons as Jan 20 and Justice Draw Near
It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas — if you happen to be a Democrat.
Sure, the run-up to Thanksgiving wasn’t ideal, with Democrats losing control of the White House and Congress. But now, outgoing President Joe Biden has granted a sweeping pardon to his son — so expansive it surpasses even Gerald Ford’s infamous pardon of Richard Nixon. It’s as if the White House is channeling Oprah Winfrey’s well-known generosity: “You get a pardon! And you get a pardon! And you get a pardon!”
According to a report from Politico on Wednesday, the Biden administration is actively discussing “preemptive pardons for those in Trump’s crosshairs.” This reportedly includes “the extraordinary step of handing out blanket pardons to those who’ve committed no crimes” — or at least, none Politico acknowledges.
The stated reason for this unprecedented move stems from comments made by Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee for FBI director. Patel has previously remarked about holding accountable those who undermined Trump, saying on Steve Bannon’s podcast that if he headed the Department of Justice, his team would “go out and find the conspirators, not just in government but in the media … who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections.”
Politico’s Jonathan Martin detailed how Biden’s aides are alarmed by Patel’s potential leadership at the FBI and his public pledges to target Trump’s critics. This concern reportedly extends to individuals like Senator-elect Adam Schiff, who played a significant role in promoting the now-debunked Steele dossier during the Russiagate controversy, and former Representative Liz Cheney, a key figure on the January 6 committee.
“Also mentioned by Biden’s aides for a pardon is Anthony Fauci,” Martin wrote, referring to the former NIAID head who faced scrutiny from the right during the COVID-19 pandemic. Martin didn’t elaborate on Fauci’s controversial testimony regarding gain-of-function research funding — but those details remain critical for many observers.
While Biden himself has not officially participated in these discussions, the involvement of key figures like White House counsel Ed Siskel and Chief of Staff Jeff Zients underscores their seriousness.
“That the conversations are taking place at all reflects the growing anxieties among high-level Democrats about just how far Trump’s reprisals could go once he reclaims power,” Martin noted.
He added that Biden’s sweeping pardon of his son Hunter showcased the administration’s deep fears about Trump’s potential actions. This pardon, which spans 11 years, has already sparked outrage among Democrats upset over Biden’s insistence on running for reelection at nearly 82.
Historically, pardon sprees have been politically contentious, but Biden’s potential plans far surpass those of past administrations. “End-of-administration pardons are always politically fraught,” Martin wrote, referencing examples like President George H.W. Bush’s pardon of former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and Bill Clinton’s pardon of financier Marc Rich.
Some Democrats are openly advocating for these preemptive pardons. Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts stated, “If it’s clear by January 19 that [revenge] is his intention, then I would recommend to President Biden that he provide those preemptive pardons.” Similarly, Representative Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania warned, “The time for cautious restraint is over. We must act with urgency to prevent Trump from abusing his power.”
However, this strategy carries two significant implications.
First, it acknowledges that the FBI’s power has been abused. The past decade’s scandals involving the bureau and Trump — from Russiagate onward — highlight systemic issues that demand scrutiny. Patel’s nomination as FBI director signals a commitment to cleaning up these abuses, not simply enacting revenge.
Second, issuing blanket pardons creates the appearance of guilt. Hunter Biden’s pardon already casts a shadow of wrongdoing over his activities, including those that have yet to be fully investigated. Extending similar pardons to figures like Schiff and Cheney raises questions about their innocence.
These preemptive pardons may shield individuals from accountability, but they also leave a stain. If the Biden administration succeeds in blocking investigations, the public may never know the full truth — and justice may remain out of reach.