In a recent television interview, Senator Bernie Sanders suggested that President Joe Biden should contemplate issuing preemptive pardons to officials who have been vocal critics of Donald Trump.

Amidst President-elect Donald Trump's threatening remarks towards his critics, Sanders's proposal highlights concerns over potential political retribution, Washington Examiner reported.

During an appearance on NBC News's "Meet the Press," Sanders expressed his views following Trump's declarations that former members of the defunct House Jan. 6 committee should face incarceration. This committee had been investigating the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot.

Bipartisan Reactions to Trump's Comments on Jan. 6 Committee

Trump's harsh stance against his detractors has not gone unnoticed in the political sphere. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, openly disagreed with Trump’s suggestion that the Jan. 6 committee members deserve jail time.

Meanwhile, Democrat Senator Adam Schiff from California, also a former member of the Jan. 6 committee, appeared on ABC News's "This Week." He discussed his reluctance towards accepting a preemptive pardon, citing it could set a troubling precedent for future administrations.

Sanders further criticized Biden for recently pardoning his son, Hunter Biden. He called it a dangerous precedent because of its broad nature, which could influence how people perceive or execute future presidential pardons.

Sanders Speaks Out Against Potential Authoritarian Moves

In his interview, Sanders voiced concerns about the authoritarian undertones of arresting elected officials simply for opposing or investigating a political figure. "Well, I think he might want to consider that very seriously," Sanders said, addressing the potential for Biden to issue pardons.

"Look, that is an outrageous statement. This is what authoritarianism is all about. It's what dictatorship is all about. You do not arrest elected officials who disagree with you, who undertake an investigation," Sanders elaborated.

He emphasized the broad disapproval of Trump’s proposals, even among some Republicans. "So all of us, and I would tell you, Kristen, I think there are a lot of Republicans — you just heard Lindsey Graham make that statement — I think that idea of Trump is not going to go very far. It is so, quite outrageous," Sanders commented.

Uncertain Future for Preemptive Pardons

The idea of preemptive pardons is sparking debate, but it remains controversial. The Democratic Party and its allies are divided over whether such a step would be appropriate or necessary.

The debate comes at a critical time, as political tensions rise with the change of administration on the horizon. Many worry that, without preemptive pardons, those who have spoken out against Trump could face legal and political challenges as retribution.

Sanders's call for Biden to seriously consider preemptive pardons aims to protect those at risk of political persecution for their roles in investigating or criticizing Trump. As the political landscape remains charged, the decisions made in these final days of the Biden administration could have lasting impacts on the norms governing political discourse and accountability in the United States.