1. United States
2. Letter

Preemptive pardons are a necessary safeguard against the looming threat of politically motivated prosecutions under the incoming administration. President Biden must act decisively to protect those who upheld democratic norms and the rule of law from facing retribution for carrying out their sworn duties. The targets of Trump's revenge tour extend well beyond those directly involved in the investigations into his conduct. They include lawmakers who certified legitimate election results, military leaders who refused unlawful orders, and career officials committed to maintaining institutional integrity. By preemptively pardoning these individuals, Biden can shield them from legal harassment designed solely to persecute his successor's perceived enemies. While pardons should not be employed frivolously, the present circumstances demand an extraordinary remedy. Trump has made clear his intention to weaponize the Justice Department for personal vengeance, subverting its legitimacy. Granting pardons ensures those who honored their oaths are not made to suffer for it. It upholds the precedent that public service should be free from vindictive retaliation by those temporarily entrusted with power. Issuing targeted pardons now heads off a protracted cycle of investigations, prosecutions, and inevitable counter-investigations once the political winds shift again. It places the national interest ahead of partisan score-settling. Most crucially, it safeguards American democracy by insulating those who defended it from further reprisals. President Biden must wield this power judiciously yet unhesitatingly to protect democratic governance itself.