‘Outrageous’: Bernie Sanders Advises Biden to ‘Very Seriously’ Consider Preemptive Pardons Due to Trump Sounding Like ‘Tinpot Dictator’

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said President Joe Biden should consider pardoning lawmakers on the January 6th Committee before Donald Trump is inaugurated.

During a Sunday morning interview on Meet The Press, the Vermont lawmaker told anchor Kristen Welker that Trump is acting like a “tinpot dictator” for suggesting politicians on the committee investigating the riot should face charges.

In light of Trump’s recent comments, there have been reports that Biden is considering issuing large widespread pardons to Democratic politicians and government officials before Trump retakes the presidency. However, Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), have asked Biden not to issue the pardons.

BIDEN: You know, when Trump talks about sending to jail people who won that January 6th committee, that sounds like being a tinpot dictator. So I would hope that we have an FBI and a Justice Department that protects the civil liberties of the American people and does its best to protect the American democracy.

WELKER: Well, we know the White House is considering potential preemptive pardons of those who’ve clashed with President elect Trump. In light of what the president elect said to me, that, yes, he does think that members of the January 6th committee should go to jail. Do you think that Mr. Biden should issue preemptive pardons for the entire January 6th committee?

BIDEN: Well, I think he might want to consider that very seriously. Look, that is an outrageous statement. This is what authoritarianism is all about. It’s what dictatorship is all about. You do not arrest elected officials who disagree with you.

Watch the clip above via NBC News.