Biden Grants Pardons to Fauci, Cheney, and Others in His Final Hours as President

In his last hours in office, President Joe Biden has issued pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. This move is seen as an effort to shield them from potential "revenge" by the incoming Trump administration.

Biden has framed his decision as a precautionary step against possible retaliation from Trump rather than an indication of any wrongdoing.

"The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense," Biden stated. "Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country."

Traditionally, presidents extend clemency at the end of their term, typically to everyday Americans convicted of crimes. However, Biden's approach is unprecedented, granting pardons to individuals who have not even been under investigation.

Despite the lack of formal charges, the acceptance of a pardon can carry an implicit acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

"These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing," Biden remarked. He emphasized that "Even when individuals have done nothing wrong — and in fact have done the right thing — and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances."

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly four decades and served as Biden’s chief medical adviser until his 2022 retirement, played a key role in the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His handling of the crisis has faced intense scrutiny, with critics blaming him for restrictive mask mandates and policies they believe infringed on personal freedoms.

Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has also been at the center of controversy. He has become a vocal critic of the 47th president, accusing Trump of being a "fascist," a claim many see as unfounded.

The pardons extend to members and staff of the Jan. 6 committee, including former Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. Both, often labeled by Trump as "Republicans in name only," faced backlash for their roles in the investigation. Additionally, Biden pardoned U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the committee.

Biden, who has portrayed himself as an institutionalist, has assured a peaceful transition, even inviting Trump to the White House. While he has expressed confidence in the nation's stability, he also used his farewell address to warn of an emerging oligarchy.

His decision to issue these preemptive pardons aligns with his long-standing concerns that Trump’s return to power poses a threat to democracy.

Biden's tenure has set a record for the highest number of individual pardons and commutations. On Friday, he announced commutations for nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.

Earlier, Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row, converting their sentences to life imprisonment just weeks before Trump, a strong advocate for capital punishment, takes office.

However, the families of those affected by these commutations have expressed dissatisfaction with Biden's sweeping acts of clemency.