Biden Pardons Fauci, Milley To Prevent Trump’s "Irrational Revenge"

President Joe Biden has pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Biden has used this power in an unprecedented manner, issuing preemptive pardons to individuals who have not been formally accused or investigated for any crimes. I Photo: NIAID

In a final act of his presidency, Biden used the extraordinary powers of his office to guard against potential "revenge" by the incoming Trump administration, Colleen Long and Zeke Miller reported for the Associated Press (AP).

The decision follows Donald Trump's repeated warnings of an "enemies list" targeting those who opposed him politically or sought to hold him accountable for his attempt to overturn the 2020 election and his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Trump’s Cabinet nominees include individuals who have supported his election fraud claims and vowed to punish those involved in investigations against him.

Biden's pardons extend to members and staff of the January 6 committee, including former Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, both Republicans, as well as U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the committee.

“The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense,” Biden stated.

“Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.”

While it is customary for presidents to grant clemency at the end of their terms, such acts typically benefit everyday Americans convicted of crimes.

Biden, however, has used this power in an unprecedented manner, issuing preemptive pardons to individuals who have not been formally accused or investigated for any crimes. Although acceptance of a pardon can imply a tacit admission of guilt, Biden’s move is seen as a protective measure for those targeted by Trump’s rhetoric.