In a controversial statement, Alina Habba, senior adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, has claimed that President Joe Biden plans to issue a sweeping series of preemptive pardons as he prepares to leave office.

According to Habba, Biden's approach will shield various political allies, including his own family, from potential legal actions by the incoming administration, Newsmax reporetd.

Speaking on Fox News, Habba, who also serves as Trump’s attorney, predicted that Biden would extend pardons to several key figures in his circle. This follows closely on the heels of Biden pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, last week.

Hunter’s pardons cover a range of offenses including weapons charges and tax evasion, absolving him of any federal crimes committed since 2014. Habba criticized the president's actions, comparing them to dispensing candy, indicating a casual handling of presidential pardoning powers.

Anticipations Of Comprehensive Presidential Pardons

People expect Biden to pardon himself, his son, other family members, and prominent Democrats like Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi, who have played central roles in various political debates and controversies.

Rumors are also swirling about potential pardons for Anthony Fauci and Liz Cheney, both of whom have faced significant scrutiny from conservative figures for their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6 investigations, respectively.

Habba’s remarks on Fox highlighted the preemptive nature of these pardons as a strategic move to forestall any legal challenges that might arise with Trump's return to power, emphasizing the protective barrier they would create for Biden's associates.

Support And Criticism Over The Pardon Strategy

Jerry Nadler, the outgoing House Judiciary Chairman, openly supported Biden's potential use of pardons. He suggested that Biden consider the recommendations in a book by Kash Patel, Trump’s FBI nominee, which lists potential targets for investigation under the Trump administration.

Patel's book, "Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy," argues that certain figures aligned with Biden could be vulnerable to new investigations, potentially necessitating the broad use of pardoning power.

In her Fox News appearance, Habba said of Biden, "I’ve never seen him smile so much, and he’s saying, ‘My hands are off everybody. I’m still sitting here handing out pardons like they’re tic-tacs, and then we’ll be done, and President Trump will be in, but at least I’ll have protected my own.'"

Public Reactions And The Path Forward

The idea of such widespread pardoning has sparked diverse reactions across the political spectrum, with many viewing it as an abuse of power, while others see it as a necessary step to protect administration figures from politically motivated prosecutions.

Nadler expressed his viewpoint in support of Biden, emphasizing the necessity of such actions in light of proposed investigations: "I think that would be a good idea. In fact, I think he should take a look at the book his FBI nominee Kash Patel wrote. He should probably pardon everyone on that list."

As the political landscape braces for Trump's return to the White House, the use of presidential pardons remains a hotly debated topic, with Habba assuring, "So, all we’re hearing is leaks of something we already knew. They lied to us during the election, the American people saw through it, and now here we are, pardon after pardon will be handed out, and I assure you of that."