Biden Issues Preemptive Pardons to Prominent Critics Before Trump Inauguration

In his final hours in office, President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to several prominent figures, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the January 6 Committee. This decision has drawn criticism, particularly from those who previously condemned similar actions by former President Trump, such as Adam Kinzinger and Adam Schiff, who had argued that accepting a pardon implies guilt. Kinzinger, who recently expressed he did not want a pardon, has remained silent after receiving one, while Fauci thanked Biden but maintained he committed no crime. Biden emphasized the importance of balancing justice and mercy and claimed that his pardons were aimed at preventing politically motivated prosecutions. The pardons sparked discussions about the differing media portrayals of Biden's actions compared to Trump's past pardons, highlighting a perceived bias in coverage. Biden also issued pardons to family members, asserting that acceptance should not be seen as an admission of guilt.