As previously reported by The Horn News, White House officials are considering issuing preemptive pardons to controversial figures who are President-elect Donald Trump’s political rivals — pardons that would protect them from potential investigation, arrest, and prosecution under a new Department of Justice, according to senior Democrats familiar with the discussions.
Among the potential pardons? California Democratic Sen.-elect Adam Schiff.
But according to Schiff, he wants no part of the plan.
Schiff rejected the idea of a preemptive pardon for him that is reportedly being considered.
Schiff made the comments yesterday when asked by local affiliate KNBC-TV about the possibility.
NEWS: California Senator-elect Adam Schiff rejects the idea of a preemptive pardon from President Biden
He tells @NBCLA such a pardon would be “unnecessary” and “unwise” pic.twitter.com/Tgj8Q7GSQh
— Jacob Wheeler (@JWheelertv) December 9, 2024
“I don’t think it’s a good idea and I would urge the president not to do that,” said Schiff.
“First of all I think it’s unnecessary, but also think it’s unwise. I don’t want to see a precedent where you start to have presidents on the eve of leaving office issuing blanket pardons to people of their own party or of their own administration,” he added.
“That I think, would tend to encourage people to feel they’re not beholden to the law because they outgoing president would give them a prospective pardon,” Schiff ended.
“So I think it’s unwise policy, and I would urge the president not to go down that road.”
Speculation of Schiff plotting a pardon came when he stepped down immediately from his position as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for California last Friday.