Biden issues pre-emptive pardons for Fauci and Jan 6 riot committee happymamay

Joe Biden preemptively pardoned a number of people, including coronavirus response chief Anthony Fauci and members of the January 6 riot investigation, to prevent “unwarranted… politically motivated prosecutions.”

Trump, who will be inaugurated later Monday, has regularly clashed with Dr. Fauci during the pandemic and suggested he would take action against those who tried to hold him responsible for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Biden also preemptively pardoned retired General Mark Milley, who described Trump as a “fascist to the core” and “dangerous.”

“Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment,” the outgoing US President said.

“These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unwarranted and politically motivated prosecutions,” Biden said in his statement.

He added that the pardon “should not be mistaken as an admission” that any of those included were “involved in any wrongdoing.”

Democrats warned the outgoing president against such action. Adam Schiff, a California senator, said Biden could set a “precedent” for “every president subsequently on his way out the door to issue a broad category of pardons.”

Trump in December supported a call for the FBI to investigate fellow Republican Liz Cheney over her role in leading the congressional investigation into the January 6 riot.

Fauci, who oversaw the US response to the Covid-19 pandemic, has been repeatedly criticized by Trump and his political allies.

Gen. Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told journalist Bob Woodward last year that he feared he would be called back into uniform and court-martialed for “disloyalty” by Trump.

According to Woodward, he warned his colleagues that Trump was “a walking advertisement talking about what he’s trying to do.” He pointed out that Steve Bannon, Trump’s main ally, pledged to “hold him accountable.”

Biden’s pardon includes members of the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, as well as their staff and officers who testified.

Trump is scheduled to pardon some people convicted of crimes related to the riots.

“You’ll see something tomorrow,” Trump said Sunday, referring to the Jan. 6 rioters. “I think you will be very happy.”

During his campaign, Trump sometimes criticized “inside enemies” and supported several figures who had vowed retaliation against his opponents to join his government.

However, his choice for attorney general, Pam Bondi, said during her confirmation hearing last week There will never be an enemies list And it will not use the Department of Justice to target anyone based on its policies.