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© Carlos Osorio and Matt Rourke, Associated Press
Trump-Cheney feud intensifies as pardon debate rages
THE PRESIDENTIAL PARDONS DRAMA that has gripped Washington kicked back to life Monday, with the feud between between President-elect Trump and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) becoming the nexus point in a debate over executive clemency and a weaponized justice system.
President Biden is considering preemptive pardons and immunity for allies and Trump critics, with Cheney thought to be among the names under potential consideration.
In a Sunday interview with NBC, Trump alleged Cheney and other members of the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot deleted or destroyed records that he says would have changed the political narrative around what happened that day.
In the interview, Trump also accused the media of ignoring and refusing to investigate the allegations that the Jan. 6 select committee hid or destroyed some evidence.
Trump said he would not explicitly direct Kash Patel and Pam Bondi — his picks to lead the FBI and Department of Justice, respectively — to go after Cheney or other members of the committee. However, Trump said investigations would likely be warranted.
“If [Patel and Bondi] think that somebody was dishonest or crooked or a corrupt politician, I think he probably has an obligation to do it,” Trump said.
Cheney fired back in a statement on Monday.
“Here is the truth: Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power...Donald Trump’s suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.”
DEMS DIVIDED
While many Democrats fear Trump will use law enforcement and the justice system to retaliate against his opposition, they’re by no means unified behind the idea of Biden issuing preemptive pardons.
“I think preemptive pardons seem to imply guilt,” Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) said in an interview on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” with Chris Stirewalt.
Auchincloss praised Cheney for standing up to her own party and said she hasn’t done anything to warrant criminal charges.
“I don’t think she needs, or probably wants, a pardon. I think she should be celebrated.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said she’s worried........