In 2020, Trump was criticized by the media for considering preemptive pardons, which Biden later issued four years later.

In his final hours as president, Joe Biden broke tradition by granting preemptive pardons, a practice that had been criticized by the legacy media after President Trump was accused of doing the same before leaving office in 2021.

On Monday, Biden issued two rounds of pardons in an attempt to overshadow the events of Trump's Inauguration Day. The first round included Trump critics such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, January 6 Committee leaders Rep. Liz Cheney and Rep. Bennie Thompson, and members of his own family including siblings James Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, and Francis Biden. This was followed by a second round of pardons just minutes before Trump was sworn into office. These pardons came after Biden had already issued a wide-ranging pardon for his son Hunter.

After his defeat in 2020, Trump was criticized by the media for considering preemptive pardons.

On December 1, 2020, The New York Times published an article stating that former President Trump had discussed pardons with his advisors for his three eldest children, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump, as well as his son-in-law Jared Kushner. The report claimed that Trump was considering issuing pardons "for crimes they have not yet committed," which would essentially be a preemptive get-out-of-jail-free card.

Trump did not grant pardons to his adult children or Giuliani, but other news outlets followed the Times' example.

Rachel Maddow, MSNBC star, stated with a grin while holding up a Times report, "If you had to build a 2020 time capsule in advance, this is probably something you would have invented to put into the 2020 time capsule."

"What is being discussed in the case of Giuliani and his three eldest children, who have not been convicted of a crime, is the idea of a permanent federal "Get Out of Jail Free" card, or a kind of prospective pardon. Chris Hayes, Maddow's MSNBC colleague, said that it is strange and he wouldn't ask for a pardon because he doesn't think he deserves one. However, he wonders where the concept of a magic pardon wand comes from."

CNN published an article titled "Legal threats and headaches fueling pardon appeals from Trump's family and friends," which highlighted the various legal entanglements faced by Trump's three eldest children, including Don Jr.'s and Kushner's involvement in the Trump Tower meeting with Russians who claimed to have dirt on Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election. Despite being investigated by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, neither Don Jr. nor Kushner were ever charged with any crimes.

According to a source, President Trump is considering granting preemptive pardons to his close associates, including his three eldest children, his son-in-law, and his personal attorney, who have not been charged or convicted of any crimes. CNN's Jake Tapper reported this information on air.

"ABC News' David Muir hinted at the possibility of President Trump granting pardons to members of his family, including himself, during the beginning of "World News Tonight.""

According to Norah O'Donnell of "CBS Evening News," President Trump and his top allies believe that Ivanka, Jared, Don Jr, and Eric may require a preemptive pardon.

According to sources, President Trump has discussed the possibility of pardons for his family members, but it is not because he believes they have committed any illegal acts. The conversations took place amidst Trump feeling embattled.

The Peacock network released a report addressing the question "Could Trump grant pardons to family members who have not been charged with crimes?" and responded affirmatively, stating "definitely yes."

Washington Post columnist Philip Bump posed a similar question and answer, "What level of protection can Trump provide his family with his pardon power? A significant amount."

"Trump may issue a broad pardon to Jared Kushner, giving him a pass on any federal crimes committed from birth until the moment of the pardon, with the understanding that anyone seeking to prosecute Kushner would have to convince a court to let them do so. The pardon may be vague, which could make it difficult for someone to challenge it. From Trump's perspective, there is no accountability mechanism in place to prevent him from doing so."

The NPR article titled "Talk Of 'Preemptive' Pardons By Trump Raises Questions: What Can He Do?" featured an image of Don Jr. at the top.

The headline in Vanity Fair was more presumptuous, stating "Trump will likely pardon Jared, Ivanka, and possibly Don Jr."

Slate speculated that Trump pardoning his children could make him a bigger criminal target by making them all subject to subpoena to testify about his conduct.

MSNBC and CNN heavily promoted the story, enlisting the help of newly-elected Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., to criticize the president.

Have you ever heard of someone receiving a preemptive pardon for a crime they did not commit, and they are an innocent person? Have you ever heard of someone receiving a blanket pardon and they are innocent? MSNBC's Joy Reid asked.

"Schiff stated, "It's the president's family and those who have been concealing the President's wrongdoings that are involved.""

In a separate interview, CNN's Wolf Blitzer asked, "Would you view that as an admission of guilt?"

"Schiff stated that he believes millions of Americans would view the situation in the same manner. If there was no belief in criminality, why would he think a pardon was necessary?"

During a sit-down with CNN's Tapper, Biden was asked about Trump's preemptive pardons after winning the 2020 election.

"Biden stated to Tapper that he was concerned about the precedent set by the pardon and how it would affect the world's perception of the United States as a nation of laws and justice. He later clarified that his administration would not take a similar approach to pardons."