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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has called on President Joe Biden to issue preemptive pardons for members of the House committee that investigated President-elect Donald Trump’s involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Sanders' appeal comes amid growing concerns about Trump’s rhetoric and his alleged intent to target his political adversaries.
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Sanders did not mince words in his criticism of Trump. “When Trump talks about sending to jail people who were on that January 6th committee, that sounds like being a tinpot dictator,” Sanders said, using a term often associated with authoritarian leaders.
“So I would hope that we have an FBI and a Justice Department that protects the civil liberties of the American people and does its best to protect the American democracy,” he added.
Sanders urged Biden to consider issuing preemptive pardons for all lawmakers and officials who played a role in the January 6 investigation, arguing that such action would safeguard them from potential retribution under Trump’s upcoming administration. “I think he might want to consider that very seriously,” he told host Kristen Welker.
The Vermont senator characterized Trump’s threats as a classic display of authoritarianism, warning that the United States was witnessing a shift toward dictatorship. “This is what authoritarianism is all about. It’s what dictatorship is all about,” Sanders declared. “You do not arrest elected officials who disagree with you.”
Trump has repeatedly criticized members of the January 6 committee, particularly former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who was one of his most vocal Republican critics during the investigation. Cheney, who lost her re-election bid after clashing with Trump, has been outspoken in her condemnation of Trump’s role in the attack on the Capitol.
In a statement to The Hill, Cheney laid out the case for holding Trump accountable, arguing that his actions on January 6 were a direct attack on the Constitution. “He mobilized an angry mob and sent them to the United States Capitol, where they attacked police officers, invaded the building, and halted the official counting of electoral votes,” Cheney stated.
She criticized Trump for watching the attack unfold on television while failing to take action for several hours. “Trump watched on television as police officers were brutally beaten and the Capitol was assaulted, refusing for hours to tell the mob to leave,” she said.
Cheney described Trump’s rhetoric against members of Congress as an ongoing threat to the rule of law and American democracy. “This was the worst breach of our Constitution by any president in our nation’s history,” Cheney asserted.
“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.”
Trump, for his part, has hinted at granting pardons to January 6 rioters within the first few hours of his presidency. This announcement has been seen as a signal of his intent to legitimize the actions of those who stormed the Capitol, further raising alarms among legal experts and political opponents.
Sanders' proposal for preemptive pardons reflects growing anxiety among Democrats and some independents about how Trump might use his presidential powers during his second term.
By urging Biden to take proactive measures, Sanders aims to protect public officials and reinforce the rule of law against what he describes as "authoritarianism in the making."
Critics argue that Trump's calls for imprisonment of political opponents are reminiscent of actions taken by authoritarian leaders around the world. Sanders, Cheney, and other political figures warn that failure to confront Trump’s rhetoric could embolden him to undermine democratic norms further once he takes office.
As Trump prepares to begin his second term, many lawmakers are grappling with how to safeguard democratic institutions and protect public servants from retribution.
Whether President Biden will act on Sanders’ advice and issue preemptive pardons remains to be seen, but the call for action highlights the mounting concern over Trump's perceived authoritarian tendencies.
