Biden Issues Pardons Hours Before Handing Over Presidency to Trump

In a historic move, U.S. President Joe Biden issued pardons for individuals who could potentially be “targeted” by incoming President Donald Trump just hours before leaving office.

Key Figures Pardoned
According to The Hill, Biden’s final action as president included pardons for:

• Dr. Anthony Fauci: The former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a key figure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• General Mark Milley: The former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who had faced criticism from Trump for his interactions with Chinese counterparts during the final months of Trump’s previous presidency.

Biden also extended pardons to members of the House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, staff members involved in the investigation, and police officers who testified before the committee.

Biden’s Statement
In a press release, Biden stated, “These public servants, who have served our country with honor and integrity, do not deserve to be the targets of politically motivated prosecutions.”

He further explained that the pardons were intended to protect individuals who might face unjust treatment under the new administration.

This marks the first time Biden has used his presidential pardon power for individuals not under investigation, making it the broadest use of the power in his presidency.

Trump’s Criticism of Milley
In 2023, Trump accused Milley of acting without authorization during the final days of his presidency, claiming Milley communicated with his Chinese counterpart about the president’s intentions.

Trump criticized Milley in the media, stating, “Such an act is so egregious that in the past, it would have been punishable by death.” He argued that Milley’s actions could have led to conflict between the U.S. and China.

Fauci’s Role Under Scrutiny
Dr. Fauci, who retired in 2022 after nearly 40 years of service, faced intense criticism from Republican lawmakers during his tenure for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some Republican representatives accused Fauci of misleading the public about the origins and spread of the virus, turning him into a controversial figure in American politics.