In an interview with USA Today, President Joe Biden stated that he has not yet made a decision about issuing preemptive pardons before leaving office, leaving the possibility open to protect some of his allies as he warned President-elect Donald Trump against using the pardon power to “settle scores.”
Biden’s comments come amid discussions among senior White House aides, administration officials, and prominent defense attorneys in Washington, D.C., regarding potential preemptive pardons or legal assistance for individuals who may face prosecution by Trump after he takes office, according to multiple sources.
Asked whether he would issue preemptive pardons for figures like former Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Biden responded cautiously, acknowledging that it “depends on who [Trump] puts in what positions.” He did not elaborate further.
Biden also discussed his earlier meeting with Trump, which took place after the president-elect’s victory. “I was very straightforward with Trump,” Biden said, noting that he told the then-president-elect that it would be “counterintuitive” to try to “settle scores” once in office. Biden suggested that Trump did not offer a clear response to this point.
When pressed about whether he had reached a decision regarding preemptive pardons, Biden said, “No, I have not” during the interview.
In the same conversation, Biden defended his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, who was granted clemency for tax and gun offenses. The pardon also covered potential federal crimes committed by Hunter Biden between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. Biden explained that his decision was based on two main factors: his son had paid all his taxes, albeit late, and that the issue involving a gun possession charge had never been legally tested.
Biden also criticized misinformation, particularly in reference to Trump’s statements regarding the New Year’s Day attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas, which were proven to be committed by lone American citizens. “Yet the president comes along… and says, ‘It’s clear. It’s an invasion from the South. All these immigrants are causing all this problem.’ … And I’ll bet you there’s 70% of people out there that read that and believe it,” Biden lamented, pointing to how misinformation spreads and its dangerous consequences.
Biden also expressed concern about the potential damage Trump could cause by attempting to reverse key legislative achievements, such as the climate law, infrastructure investments, and health care reforms. He warned that any attempts to cut taxes for the wealthy or dismantle successful programs would harm both the economy and the country.
When asked about his own reelection prospects, Biden reflected on the belief that he could have been reelected, particularly if running against Trump. However, he acknowledged that he was unsure if he had the stamina to serve another four years at the age of 86. “I really thought I had the best chance of beating him. But I also wasn’t looking to be president when I was 85 years old, 86 years old,” he said.
Biden also expressed some regrets, particularly about the pace of legislative progress and the spread of misinformation. He admitted that the country would have benefited from more rapid implementation of key projects and emphasized the challenges of communicating his administration’s accomplishments.
As Biden prepares to leave office, he is expected to deliver a eulogy for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29. Biden described Carter as a “decent man” who “genuinely cared about other people,” reflecting on his close relationship with the former president.
Biden also revealed that he is about to become a great-grandfather, as his granddaughter, Naomi Biden Neal, is due to give birth soon. Meanwhile, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are traveling in California, where an event to designate a national monument was canceled due to wildfires and high winds.
