• President Biden is contemplating issuing pardons for individuals criticized or threatened by Donald Trump.
• His decision is influenced by recent rhetoric from Trump and his political allies.
• Biden emphasizes the danger of retaliation against those opposing Trump's policies.
• Former officials, including Adam Kinzinger, have expressed mixed feelings about accepting such pardons.
• Biden criticized Facebook's change in fact-checking policies, calling it "shameful."

In a recent press briefing, President Joe Biden reaffirmed that he is carefully considering the possibility of issuing pardons for individuals who have faced criticism or threats from former President Donald Trump. Speaking from the White House, Biden remarked on the significance of Trump's communications over the past few days, stating, "It depends on some of the language and expectations that Trump broadcast in the last couple of days here as to what he’s going to do" (AP News, LA Times). He condemned the notion of punishing individuals simply for not aligning with Trump's desired political stance, calling it "outrageous."

With limited time left in his administration, Biden is prioritizing the restoration of norms disrupted by his predecessor, even as the idea of issuing preemptive pardons raises profound questions about presidential authority. These potential pardons could be for offenses, actual or imagined, stemming from Trump's aggressive political strategy against critics, including former Congresswoman Liz Cheney and Congressman Bennie Thompson, who played pivotal roles in investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

Biden dismissed any thoughts of pardoning himself, questioning, "What would I pardon myself for?" asserting, "I didn’t do anything wrong." This sentiment aligns with former Representative Adam Kinzinger's stance, who voiced his skepticism over the reasoning behind accepting pardons, clarifying, "The second you take a pardon and it looks like you’re guilty of something" (LA Times).

In a related note, Biden expressed his disapproval of Meta's recent decision to eliminate fact-checking on Facebook, deeming it "really shameful" and "contrary to American justice." The shift toward community-generated content reflects broader changes in the media landscape as companies adapt to incoming administrations. Biden emphasized the critical importance of truthfulness in media communications, stating, "Where millions of people read it, things that are simply not true" (AP News).

For further insights on this evolving situation and Biden's considerations regarding pardons, click to read the original articles from AP News and LA Times.