Mon Jan 20 13:21:19 UTC 2025: **Biden Issues Preemptive Pardons for Fauci, Milley, and January 6 Committee Members**
WASHINGTON — In a dramatic preemptive move, outgoing President Joe Biden issued pardons to several high-profile figures, including former COVID-19 advisor Anthony Fauci and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, shielding them from potential prosecution under a future Trump administration. The pardons also extend to members, staff, and witnesses of the House committee investigating the January 6th Capitol attack.
Biden justified the action, citing concerns about politically motivated prosecutions by incoming President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly vowed retribution against his political opponents. The president stated that these individuals served with honor and distinction and did not deserve to be targeted for baseless accusations. He emphasized that the pardons are not an admission of guilt but a necessary preventative measure in these exceptional circumstances.
The decision comes after Trump publicly threatened both Fauci and Milley. Fauci faced intense criticism from the right for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Milley’s leaked conversations with his Chinese counterpart, revealing concerns about Trump’s stability, drew the president’s ire. Trump even threatened Milley with death on his social media platform. The January 6th committee, which includes prominent Trump critic Liz Cheney, also became a target of Trump’s anger.
Biden stressed that politically motivated investigations harm individuals and their families, emphasizing that the pardons should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing. This preemptive action underscores the deep political divisions in the United States and the anticipation of heightened political conflict under the incoming Trump administration.
First Piper 