In one of his last actions as President of the United States, Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons for several lawmakers and public figures who are potential targets of the incoming Donald Trump administration.
As reported by ABC News, Biden issued preemptive pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, lawmakers on the House Jan. 6 Committee, officers who testified before the committee, and retired Army general Mark Milley, who was criticized by Republicans for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Trump vowed to enact "retribution" on those he saw as enemies, which includes many political figures who publicly criticized him, throughout his 2024 presidential campaign.
"Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy," said Biden in a statement issued on Monday, just hours before Trump's inauguration. "Yet alarmingly, public servants have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties. 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. Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families."
In the statement, he said he was choosing to exercise his authority under the Constitution to pardon Milley, Fauci, all the members of Congress and staff who served on the House Jan. 6 committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the committee.
"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," he added. "Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country."
Fauci said he was thankful for the pardon, but stressed that he had not committed any crime and there's "no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me." Milley was also thankful for the pardon and said that he doesn't want to spend his remaining years "fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights."
Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Daun added, "I wish this pardon weren't necessary, but unfortunately, the political climate we are in now has made the need for one somewhat of a reality. I, like all of the other public servants, was just doing my job and upholding my oath, and I will always honor that."
Just minutes before Trump was inaugurated, it was announced that Biden also pardoned his brothers Jim and Frank, his sister Valerie, and their spouses.
In a statement, Biden said he wanted to protect his family from "baseless and politically motivated investigations."