PA Democrat calls for Biden to issue a 'blanket pardon' for those Trump could target in next term

Democratic Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boyle on Wednesday asked President Joe Biden to issue a blanket pardon for law enforcement officials, military personnel, and other people President-elect Donald Trump could target in his next term.

Biden issued a broad pardon for his son Hunter Biden on Sunday, which excused any crimes the younger Biden committed over a 10-year span that encompassed 2014 through 2024. The pardon means the first son cannot be prosecuted or sentenced for his tax charges, his federal gun charge, or any possible crime he committed while on the board of Burisma. 

Boyle claimed that Trump's selection of Kash Patel as his next director of the FBI meant that he was looking to settle "personal scores," instead of protecting Americans. Trump nominated Patel for the position last month.

"These patriots shouldn’t have to live in fear of political retribution for doing what’s right," Boyle wrote in a statement. "That’s why I’m urging President Biden to issue a blanket pardon for anyone unjustly targeted by this vindictive scheme.”

Patel, who has no current ties to the FBI, reportedly has plans to fire some high-ranking Justice Department officials and demote others, according to The Hill.

“If we’re serious about stopping Trump’s authoritarian ambitions, we need to act decisively and use every tool at our disposal,” Boyle wrote. “Norms and traditions alone won’t stop him—Trump has shown time and again that he’s willing to ignore them to consolidate power and punish his opponents.”

Boyle concluded that the "time for cautious restraint is over," and pushed Biden to act quickly to "prevent Trump from abusing his power.”

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.