Mon Jan 20 19:39:06 IST 2025: ## Biden Grants Preemptive Pardons to Fauci, Milley, and January 6 Committee Members
**Washington D.C., January 20, 2025** – In a dramatic move hours before leaving office, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol attack. The pardons are intended to shield them from potential prosecution under the incoming Donald Trump administration.
President Biden’s action comes amid warnings from President-elect Trump of an “enemies list” targeting those he perceives as political adversaries. While acknowledging the unusual nature of preemptive pardons—granted before any charges are filed—the White House cited a debt of gratitude for these public servants’ commitment to the country. The statement explicitly stated that the pardons are not an admission of guilt.
The decision follows months of high-level White House discussions. While presidential pardons are typically granted after conviction, legal precedent exists for pardoning individuals without prior charges, including President Ford’s pardon of President Nixon. However, concerns remain that this action could set a dangerous precedent, potentially emboldening the incoming administration to utilize similar preemptive pardons on a larger scale. Critics also fear the pardons will fuel Trump’s claims of wrongdoing by the pardoned individuals. The U.S. Department of Justice has confirmed some historical precedence for this type of pardon, albeit acknowledging its rarity.
First Piper 