Biden’s Preemptive Pardons of Fauci Were More Calculated Than You Think

President Biden issues preemptive pardons to key figures, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and General Mark Milley, sparking controversy and raising questions about the extent of presidential pardon power.

At a Glance

  • Biden pardons Fauci, Milley, Jan. 6 committee members, and police officers
  • Pardons aim to protect against potential political prosecutions
  • Move comes just hours before Biden’s term ends
  • Some recipients express gratitude, others hesitate to accept
  • Biden emphasizes pardons do not imply wrongdoing

Biden’s Controversial Pardons

Just hours before the end of his term, President Joe Biden issued a series of pardons to key public figures who have faced criticism from President-elect Donald Trump. The pardons extend to Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, former Rep. Liz Cheney, and other members of the House panel that investigated the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.

Biden’s action aims to shield these individuals from potential politically motivated prosecutions by the incoming administration. The President emphasized that these pardons should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt or wrongdoing by any of the recipients.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who faced intense criticism from Trump for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and General Mark Milley, a vocal Trump critic, are among the high-profile individuals pardoned. The House January 6 committee, Chaired by Rep. Bennie Thompson and Vice-Chaired by Cheney, was a frequent target of Trump’s ire and is now protected by Biden’s action.

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

The pardons also extend to U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee, further underscoring Biden’s intent to safeguard those involved in the investigation of the January 6 events.

Reactions and Implications

The recipients of the pardons have expressed mixed reactions. General Milley stated that he and his family “are deeply grateful for the President’s action today.”

Dr. Fauci cited relief from “politically motivated threats” as a reason for his gratitude.

“I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing,” Biden explained.

However, some members of the January 6 committee and police officers have indicated they did not feel they needed pardons.

The reality is that pardons are only useful to these people because they have, potentially, committed crimes that could be investigated and prosecuted. Unless, of course, the Dems want to admit that it’s possible to weaponize the DOJ…but they already told us that isn’t possible.