Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi says President Biden offered him a pre-pardon for his role in leading the investigation into then-President Donald Trump. 2021 capitol riotHe will accept it.
Thompson, who chaired the House select committee that conducted the investigation on Jan. 6, embraced the idea of a pardon in an interview with CBS News, saying Tuesday, “I'm from a part of the country where it can cost you to have an opinion.” Used to be. Your life.”
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He said of now President-elect Trump, “When I hear someone who is about to be sworn in as President of the United States saying he wants to shut you down for doing your job, I don't believe it. I do.”
“And so, if for Bennie Thompson, it's something that's offered to me, I will accept it,” the Democrat said, “because there are a lot of people who take this guy at his word, and I take him at his word.” “I don't want to weaponize the government against people doing their jobs.”
President Biden has said he is continuing weigh Possible broad advance pardons for Trump's prominent critics and political enemies, a move that could protect them from prosecution by the incoming administration. The President has not specified who may receive such a pardon.
The President-elect has openly threatened members of the now defunct House committee.
In an interview with NBC News' “Meet the Press.” last monthThe incoming President accused the panel members of destroying evidence and committing “a major crime” during their investigation. He said that “every single person” who served on the committee “should go to jail.”
Asked Tuesday about Trump's claim that the committee destroyed evidence, Thompson said House Republicans have been conducting their own investigation of the select committee's work for two years. “They haven't come up with anything,” Thompson said.
But Thompson appears to be the only member of the select committee who would welcome clemency before Trump's inauguration on January 20. Several members of the panel have rejected the idea, arguing that he does not need a pardon because he has done no wrong. The order of their work.
Representative Pete Aguilar, Democrat of California, told reporters on Tuesday, “I stand by the work we did. We did nothing wrong. I don't think an apology is necessary.”
Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said he didn't know what the right answer was when asked on POLITICO Live. events About the possibility that Mr. Biden could pardon members of the select committee. He argued that “in any just world,” he would not need a pardon because he had committed no crime.
He also said that the “Speech and Debate” clause of the Constitution protects members from criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits related to their legislative work.
Some other former members of the panel have discouraged clemency.
Senator Adam Schiff, Democrat of California, told CBS News in December that he did not think the idea of a blanket pardon “of any kind” was a good idea, and that he would recommend against it.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans who served on the panel, said on CNN this month that he does not want a pardon.
“I understand the principle behind it because Donald Trump has clearly said he's going to go after everybody,” he said. “…But as soon as you apologize, it seems like you're guilty of something. I'm not guilty of anything other than bringing the truth to the American people and embarrassing Donald Trump in the process. “
Mr. Biden honored Thompson and the select committee's vice chair, former GOP Representative Liz Cheney. Presidential Citizens MedalThe second-highest civilian award was given at a ceremony at the White House this month.