Following the conclusion of the House committee's investigation into the January 6th Capitol attack, members are split on whether to accept preemptive pardons from President Biden. Representative Pete Aguilar (D-CA) stated he sees no need for a pardon, firmly standing by the committee's work and asserting they "didn't do anything wrong." Aguilar confirmed he hasn't requested a pardon nor engaged in discussions with the White House about one.

This division reflects differing views within the committee. Some members believe a pardon would establish a detrimental precedent, suggesting the Constitution's speech and debate clause offers sufficient legal protection. Others, however, express concern about potential retaliation from former President Trump and view a pardon as a necessary safeguard.

Former committee chairman, Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS), confirmed speaking with the White House regarding potential pardons and expressed his willingness to accept one, citing concerns about Trump's threats of retribution. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) echoed Aguilar's sentiment, stating she hasn't contacted the White House or sought a pardon. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and former Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) both argued against preemptive pardons, emphasizing the negative precedent it could create.

Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) expressed uncertainty about the best course of action, acknowledging the existence of serious threats against those involved in the investigation, including Justice Department prosecutors, while maintaining that in an ideal scenario, a pardon wouldn't be necessary. He expressed confidence in President Biden's judgment on the matter.

President Biden has indicated that preemptive pardons for individuals targeted by Trump remain under consideration. He also revealed he personally advised Trump against seeking retribution during their post-election meeting at the White House. Trump has publicly denounced members of the January 6th committee, using terms like "thugs" and "creeps," and even suggesting they should face imprisonment, accusing them of destroying evidence.

A recently released Justice Department report detailed Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Although the case was dropped due to Trump's subsequent election victory, the report highlights Trump's alleged use of misinformation to undermine a crucial aspect of the U.S. democratic process.

The Jan. 6 committee's final report concluded that Trump played a key role in the events leading up to the Capitol attack, presenting sufficient evidence for potential federal prosecution. The report included several criminal referrals submitted to the Department of Justice.