Schiff bats aside suggestion of preemptive pardon for Jan. 6 committee members

Newly sworn-in Sen. Adam Schiff said Tuesday that it would be unnecessary for President Joe Biden to issue preemptive pardons for members of the Jan. 6 committee.

“I don’t think the incoming president should be threatening his political opponents with jail time,” Schiff (D-Calif) said at a press conference alongside Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “Nor do I think that a pardon is necessary for members of the Jan. 6 committee. We’re proud of the work we did on that committee.”

Schumer seemed to agree that a pardon wouldn’t be necessary for Schiff: “He broke no laws whatsoever, and the truth stands for itself.”

The committee had voted in 2022 to refer President-elect Donald Trump for criminal prosecution for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.

The comments come after President Joe Biden issued a comprehensive pardon for his son, Hunter Biden. The president’s inner circle is mulling whether to issue additional preemptive pardons for political enemies of President-elect Donald Trump.