Mitt Romney urges Biden to preemptively pardon Donald Trump
- Mitt Romney urged the Biden administration to issue a pardon for Donald Trump, particularly if indictment was forthcoming.
- Romney expressed concerns about the danger of prosecuting political opponents, which he believes could escalate political hostility.
- He concluded that a preemptive pardon would send a strong message against such politically motivated prosecutions.
In September 2023, former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney revealed in an interview that he had contacted senior advisers in President Joe Biden's administration to advocate for a preemptive pardon for former President Donald Trump. This call took place against the backdrop of Trump facing an investigation by Special Counsel Jack Smith. Romney expressed his concerns that prosecuting political opponents could lead to a dangerous escalation in political animosity and division within the country. His reasoning was twofold: first, to prevent further anger and vitriol, and second, to reinforce the principle that political figures should not be subject to prosecution based solely on their political status. Romney articulated his viewpoint during a discussion with CNN anchor Dana Bash at an event hosted by Drew University in Morristown, New Jersey. He shared that he had specifically told a member of the Biden administration, 'If the Justice Department decides to indict President Trump, I hope President Biden will immediately eliminate that and that he will provide a pardon immediately.' This statement reflects Romney's belief that a pardon could serve as a significant statement against the prosecution of political adversaries. He underscored that allowing such prosecutions could lead to a dangerous precedent and deepen political divides in the United States. Romney's comments followed actions by the Justice Department which included a federal indictment against former FBI Director James Comey. This indictment was part of a wider discussion on the ramifications of utilizing the justice system as a weapon against political opponents. Romney also commented on the potential implications of these prosecutions, suggesting they could contribute to a cycle of retaliation and escalation between political factions. In light of the high political tensions and the backdrop of Trump's previous campaign promises to pursue his adversaries legally, Romney expressed concern about the future of political discourse in America. He emphasized the need for a justice system that is free from the influence of partisan politics, calling for a united front against the use of legal avenues to undermine political opposition.