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Blumenthal Critiques Potential Preemptive Pardons for Jan. 6 Investigators
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has voiced strong opposition to the notion of President Biden issuing preemptive pardons for lawmakers involved in the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. In a recent interview with CNN’s Jim Acosta, Blumenthal expressed concerns that such pardons could be interpreted as an implicit admission of guilt.
“I strongly oppose preemptive pardons,” Blumenthal stated, drawing on his extensive experience as a federal prosecutor and state attorney general. He emphasized the distinction between being charged and being proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Blumenthal further argued that there is no evidence of wrongdoing by the committee members who pursued the impeachment articles against former President Trump.
The committee’s comprehensive report, released in 2022, contained several recommendations, one of which urged the invocation of the 14th Amendment to prevent Trump from holding future office. This recommendation was grounded in the argument that the amendment’s insurrection clause prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection from serving in positions of government.
Blumenthal’s remarks come on the heels of statements made by Trump, who expressed a willingness to see members of the January 6 special committee face imprisonment during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” This has prompted pushback from several committee members, who contend that the primary criminal actions linked to the riots were instigated by Trump and his supporters, not by those who conducted the investigation afterwards.
Former Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), a prominent critic of Trump following the Capitol riot, condemned Trump’s remarks as an “assault on the rule of law.” Cheney underscored the severity of Trump’s actions, stating, “Here is the truth: Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power.” She detailed how Trump incited an angry mob to storm the Capitol, leading to violent confrontations with law enforcement and the disruption of the electoral vote count.
In his interview, Blumenthal suggested that any attempts by Trump to imprison committee members could backfire. He predicted that such baseless charges might provoke public dissent, resulting in acquittals and potential financial burdens for those targeted. “The costs of their defense or investigation should be borne by a defense fund,” he proposed.
These discussions come amid ongoing deliberations within the Biden administration regarding the potential use of pardons to protect individuals critical of Trump, signaling a complex and evolving political landscape.
Source
thehill.com