New Delhi: In a landmark move, outgoing US President Joe Biden early Monday morning during his final hours in office issued pre-emptive pardons to former Covid-19 advisor Anthony Fauci and retired general Mark Milley to protect them from potential reprisals under the administration of Donald Trump. Biden issued similar pardons to members, staff, and witnesses of a US House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by Donald Trump’s supporters.
And minutes ahead of Trump’s inauguration as the nation’s 47th president, Biden also issued pardons for members of his family: his brothers James and Frank, his sister Valerie, and their respective spouses. “My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me—the worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end,” Biden said in a statement. Interestingly, the statement was released as the inauguration ceremony was underway at the US Capitol.
‘They do not deserve to be targets of politically motivated persecutions’
Earlier, clemency for Milley, Fauci, and members who served on the committee probing the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was announced by him on Monday morning. In a statement while issuing them pardons, Biden said: “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. These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing.”
Biden’s pardons come in response to Trump’s warnings of an “enemies list”, targeting those who were against him politically or played a role in holding him accountable for his actions related to the 2020 election and the Capitol insurrection. Trump has also vowed retribution against his critics.
Dr Fauci, a key figure in the US COVID-19 pandemic response, was criticised by Trump and his supporters for dismissing baseless claims and encouraging public health measures such as mask mandates. Fauci became a divisive figure, with many on the right alleging that he violated their freedoms during a time of widespread death from the virus.
Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also faced Trump’s criticism, after he called Trump a “fascist to the core” and “the most dangerous person to this country”. Subsequently, Trump wrote on his Truth Social network that “in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!” for Milley.
The January 6 committee includes staunch Trump critic Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman and the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Biden wrote: “Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families.” He added that the 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”.
