Biden May Yet Pardon Trump Critics In The Waning Days Of His Administration

President Joe Biden indicated Friday that he’s still mulling preemptive pardons for some high-profile critics of Donald Trump, saying his decision will depend on whether the president-elect telegraphs plans to seek retribution when he returns to power.

“It depends on some of the language and expectations that Trump broadcasts in the last couple days here as to what he’s going to do,” Biden told reporters at the White House. “There’s still consideration of some folks, but no decision.”

Biden did not specify who is under consideration for a pardon, calling it “outrageous” that he even has to consider the possibility Trump would punish his political enemies.

But he did rule out pardoning one well-known Trump antagonist: himself.

“What would I pardon myself for?” Biden said when asked if he’d thought about shielding himself. “I had no contemplation of pardoning myself. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Biden’s discussion of possible preemptive pardons came during a brief back-and-forth with reporters following a speech on the economy, in which he touted another month of job gains — guaranteeing that he would go his entire term without suffering a month of net losses.

Biden also insisted to reporters that he still believes he could’ve beaten Trump had he stayed in the 2024 presidential race, but opted to drop out in the wake of his disastrous June debate performance for fear of dividing the Democratic Party.

“I thought I could win again. I thought it was better to unify the party,” he said, adding that he also thought that Vice President Kamala Harris stood a good chance of defeating Trump. “I was confident she’d win.”

Biden later demurred on whether Harris should run for president again, saying that while “I think she’s competent to run again in four years, that’s a decision for her to make.”

The president’s remarks came at the tail end of a week that he’d previously planned to spend in Rome, where he was slated for a private audience with the Pope. Biden, a devout Catholic, canceled that trip after devastating wildfires broke out in southern California, a decision that he acknowledged was disappointing, but necessary.

He also spoke earlier Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he came away from the conversation confident that Ukraine could win its war against Russia as long as its western European allies remain united.

The White House imposed sweeping new sanctions on Russia, targeting the country’s lucrative oil industry, in a move that Biden predicted would have a “profound effect” on the country’s economy. The sanctions are likely to have some consequences for the U.S. as well, he cautioned, raising gas prices as much as four cents per gallon.

Still, he argued, it was a worthwhile trade-off to weaken Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin. And he expressed hope that Trump would keep up the U.S.’ support for Ukraine, urging lawmakers to resist any attempts to cut off funding for its defense.

“I know that there are a significant number of Democrats and Republicans on the Hill who think we should continue to support Ukraine,” Biden said. “It is my hope and expectation that they will speak up if Trump decides to cut off funding.”

As for his own future after he leaves office, Biden offered no specifics. But he signaled an eagerness to find some way to stay publicly involved in politics.

“I’m not going to be out of sight, out of mind,” he said.