Turley Shows How Those Who Receive Preemptive Pardons from Biden Could Still Face Prosecution

Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, examined the potential consequences of President Joe Biden’s plans to issue preemptive pardons for those linked to his administration. After pardoning his son Hunter Biden for federal gun and tax crimes, Biden is considering extending similar pardons to others, including former officials like Anthony Fauci and Liz Cheney.

Turley argued that such pardons could undermine the legal system and public trust, as they would prevent accountability for any wrongful conduct during the specified time. Turley stated, “That’s not going to be good for the country.”

Turley added, “We have a legal system that protects the rights of those accused. If there is a basis for criminal charges, most of the public would like to see those charges pursued.”

Turley contended, “The point is to pardon as many people as possible, so you can say, ‘You know we were right all along. Fortunately, Biden prevented him from a campaign of vengeance.’”

He noted that even if pardoned, individuals could still be compelled to testify before Congress, and providing false statements could lead to new criminal charges. Turley said, “If they get pulled in front of Congress, they may have trouble actually invoking the Fifth [Amendment] because they are not at risk.”

Turley noted, “But at the end of the day if you give false statements to either a federal investigator or to Congress, you could be subject to a new criminal charge outside the scope of any prior pardon.”

Broadcaster Mark Levin said of Biden’s reported pardon plans, “Let me throw it out there, if Biden performs some kind of systemic so-called preemptive pardons — not with the kind of exceptional cases like [George] Washington or Ford, which wasn’t systemic, or Jimmy Carter — he needs to be impeached.”

Levin added, “We’re talking about the Constitution of the United States now. This would create a precedent of a kind that we’ve never seen in American history by any party or any president before.”