Rep. Pete Aguilar, a key Democrat on the congressional committee investigating President-elect Donald Trump's alleged election interference, stated he doesn't anticipate a preemptive pardon from President Joe Biden. Aguilar believes the committee did nothing wrong and therefore doesn't require protection from potential retaliation by Trump.
Aguilar clarified that he hasn't sought a pardon nor discussed it with the White House. Other lawmakers on the Jan. 6 committee have varied opinions on the necessity of a preemptive pardon. Some worry about setting a negative precedent, relying on constitutional protections, while others fear retribution from Trump.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, the committee's chairman, expressed concerns about potential retribution from Trump and indicated he would accept a pardon from Biden if offered. However, most committee members have not confirmed whether they would accept or decline a pardon.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren emphasized the importance of not setting a wrong precedent by accepting broad pardons. Sen. Adam Schiff echoed similar sentiments, stating he did not want a pardon. Rep. Jamie Raskin highlighted the threats faced by committee members and expressed hope that Biden and his advisors would make the right decision regarding pardons.
During his final interview, Biden mentioned considering preemptive pardons for Trump's political adversaries. Trump has criticized committee members, accusing them of criminal acts. The Justice Department recently released a report on Trump's alleged election interference, which had to be dropped due to his election victory.
The Jan. 6 committee's final report implicated Trump in the Capitol siege and made criminal referrals to the Department of Justice. The committee's year-long investigation concluded that there was enough evidence to convict Trump. The ongoing debate over preemptive pardons continues as Biden weighs his options.
