Biden Issues Preemptive Pardons for Fauci, Milley, January 6 Committee Members

In a significant move during his final hours in office, President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to several prominent figures, aiming to protect them from potential political retribution under the incoming Trump administration. The recipients include Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol attack, such as Liz Cheney and Adam Schiff. Biden defended the pardons, emphasizing that these individuals have served the nation honorably and should not face unjust prosecutions driven by political motivations. He expressed concern over the damaging effects of baseless investigations, even on those ultimately exonerated. While none of the pardoned individuals have been charged with crimes, the move reflects fears of retaliation from Trump, who has previously threatened those who challenged him. This decision marks a dramatic use of presidential pardon power, unprecedented in recent administrations.