Biden Issues Pre-emptive Pardons to Protect Milley, Fauci, others from Potential Trump Retaliation

U.S. President Joe Biden has issued pre-emptive pardons to several individuals, including former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and former White House chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci from potential retaliation from President-Elect Donald Trump.

President Biden’s Monday pardons also extend to lawmakers who served on the congressional select committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters, as well as police officers who testified before the committee.

He praised public servants, calling them the “lifeblood of our democracy.” He expressed concern that some public servants have faced threats and intimidation for doing their job, stating:

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

The move comes as Trump, who is set to return to the presidency, has repeatedly called for the prosecution of his perceived enemies since winning the White House in November. Trump has also backed a call for the FBI to investigate fellow Republican Liz Cheney over her role in leading Congress’s probe of the January 6, 2021, assault on the US Capitol by his supporters.

Fauci has been a target of Trump’s supporters due to his clashes with the former president during the COVID-19 pandemic. Milley has also faced backlash from Trump’s allies after being quoted in the book “War” by Bob Woodward, calling Trump “fascist to the core”.