In a historic move just hours before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, outgoing President Joe Biden announced on Monday morning a sweeping series of pardons for prominent figures who have faced intense scrutiny and threats from Trump and his allies. Among the recipients are Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), as well as members of the House Select Committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Biden’s Statement on Clemency
“These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions,” Biden said in a statement. He characterized the pardons as “full and unconditional,” effective Sunday.
While Biden emphasized that the pardons do not imply guilt or wrongdoing, he argued the extraordinary measures were necessary to safeguard individuals who might otherwise become entangled in retaliatory legal actions under the incoming administration.
Notable Pardons and Their Context
The pardons cover a broad range of individuals and circumstances:
Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), was pardoned for any offenses from January 1, 2014, to Sunday. Fauci, who became a central figure in the nation’s COVID-19 response, faced relentless criticism from Trump and his supporters for countering unfounded claims about the virus and advocating for vaccinations.
Fauci expressed gratitude, stating that the pardon alleviated “immeasurable and intolerable distress” caused by politically motivated threats.
Gen. Mark Milley, the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, received a pardon covering the same period for any offenses under federal or military law. Milley had been a vocal critic of Trump and was accused by the former president of undermining his administration. Milley’s pardon protects him from potential retribution for his role in opposing any efforts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power following the 2020 election.
Milley thanked Biden for shielding his family from “distraction, expense, and anxiety.”
Members of the Jan. 6 Committee: Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), and other committee members who investigated the Capitol attack were also pardoned. The panel’s work drew sharp criticism from Trump, who suggested its members “should go to jail.”
While Thompson indicated he would accept the pardon, other committee members, including Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), stated they felt no need for clemency.
Law Enforcement Officers: U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the committee also received preemptive pardons. These include Harry Dunn, Aquilino Gonell, Caroline Edwards, Michael Fanone, and Daniel Hodges, all of whom faced threats and backlash for their testimony.
Fanone and Gonell expressed mixed feelings, noting they had not sought the pardons but appreciated Biden’s gesture.
A Polarizing Decision
The pardons mark an unprecedented use of executive clemency powers, with Biden extending protections to individuals who have not been formally charged or investigated. Critics argue that the move could set a controversial precedent for preemptive pardons, while supporters view it as a necessary shield against potential abuses of power by Trump’s administration.
Biden defended his decision, stating, “I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing.”
Implications Moving Forward
The pardons come amid heightened tensions as Trump prepares to retake the White House. Biden’s Justice Department recently filed court briefs emphasizing that accepting a pardon implies an admission of guilt, adding a layer of complexity to the recipients’ decisions to formally accept or reject them.
Several pardon recipients have already expressed relief and gratitude. Liz Cheney, one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics, issued a statement reaffirming her commitment to defending democratic principles, regardless of political consequences.
Historic and Controversial
As Biden concludes his term, the pardons underscore his belief in protecting public servants from perceived political retribution. Whether these actions will mitigate the anticipated political turbulence under Trump’s presidency remains to be seen.
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