Representative James Clyburn (D-SC) said he would “absolutely” back the idea of President Joe Biden pardoning President-elect Donald Trump.
The statement comes on the heels of Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, for federal felony gun and tax convictions—despite an earlier promise not to do so. The move, widely criticized by Republicans and some Democrats, has complicated Biden’s legacy, with former Democrat-turned-independent Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) suggesting the president balance the scales by extending clemency to Trump.
“My recommendation… would have been, why don’t you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump for all his charges,” Manchin told CNN, arguing it would “wipe them out” and allow the country to move forward without prolonged legal battles.
Speaking on CNN’s Laura Coates Live, Clyburn affirmed his support for a potential pardon of the president-elect.
“Well, I’ve said to people that I’m in that category as well. I did see what Manchin had to say,” he explained.
“Remember that Trump has not been convicted of anything in the federal realm. Those convictions are state convictions. So, I’m not talking about state here. I’m talking about things that could impede our federal government,” Clyburn added.
“You would support pardoning Trump for the federal crimes?” host Laura Coates pressed.
“Yes, I could, absolutely,” Clyburn replied, “because the Supreme Court has pretty much made it very clear that he is preemptively pardoned of anything he may do as president.”
“Because of the immunity decision for official acts,” Coates repeated back.
Watch above on CNN.
