'I believe him': Jan. 6 committee chair in pardon talks amid fear of Trump retribution

Members of the Jan. 6 select committee are privately discussing presidential pardons with the White House days before the return of Donald Trump, who has publicly threatened vengeance against them and other political enemies.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), who chaired that congressional panel, told Punchbowl News that he had spoken to the White House counsel's office last month about the possibility of a pre-emptive pardon and would accept one if offered by president Joe Biden, although he said they hadn't directly discussed the topic.

“I believe Donald Trump when he says he’s going to inflict retribution on this,” Thompson said. “I believe when he says my name and Liz Cheney and the others. I believe him.”

Biden, who awarded Thompson and Cheney the Presidential Citizens Medal earlier this month, has said as recently as last week that he was considering pardons for high-profile Trump critics, but sources told Punchbowl members of the Jan. 6 investigative have not asked for one – although others have lobbied the White House for them.

“A lot of people have said if this guy [Trump] said he’s going to do things, believe him,” Thompson said. “If the president offered a pardon based on the work of the committee, Bennie Thompson would accept it."

Thompson believes lawmakers have some legal protection under the Speech or Debate Clause, which prevents executive-branch action over legitimate legislative activities, but he's concerned that Trump could seek vengeance in other ways that don't involve prosecution by the Justice Department.

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The former Jan. 6 chairman and other members of the committee, including former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, held a private call in November to discuss possible Trump retaliation, according to multiple sources, but they're split over whether a pardon would be necessary or advisable.

“There is nothing to be pardoned for," said a spokesperson for Cheney, who was the ranking Republican on that panel but lost a GOP primary for re-election afterward.

The White House declined to comment on the issue, and some sources close to the topic don't think a Biden pardon will happen at this point.