Biden's consideration, as reported by the American media company Politico, would concern named individuals who were critical of Trump or opposed him during his previous term in the White House. Among them are Anthony Fauci, who previously served as the White House's special adviser during the coronavirus pandemic, and Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who became one of the most vocal critics of Trump after the storming of Congress in Washington DC in 2021.
The President of the United States has the opportunity to issue a pardon, which grants a kind of legal amnesty for all types of charges – even for individuals who have not been accused of a crime.
President Biden has previously chosen to issue a general pardon – even for potential crimes that have not yet been investigated – for his son Hunter Biden. The son was awaiting sentencing after being convicted in court for weapons purchases and tax offenses.
Biden's further pardon would protect several individuals from the incoming administration's potential attempts to bring criminal charges against them. Among the individuals mentioned by American media are also Mark Milley, who was Trump's chief of staff in the White House but later called him "a total fascist".
A general pardon has previously been issued by, among others, President Gerald Ford, who in 1974 pardoned former President Richard Nixon for all crimes he may have committed against the United States during his time as president.
