
In a move that drew sharp reactions from both sides of the political spectrum, President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, and several members of the Democrat-led January 6 Committee on his final morning in office. The announcement, made just hours before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, was framed by the White House as a bid to protect public servants from politically motivated legal action.
“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.”
Dr. Fauci, who became a polarizing figure during the COVID-19 pandemic, has faced criticism for his handling of the virus and his statements before Congress regarding gain-of-function research. General Milley, meanwhile, has been under fire for reportedly making unauthorized calls to Chinese military officials during Trump’s presidency. Milley expressed his gratitude in a public statement, emphasizing his desire to avoid unnecessary legal battles.
“After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights,” Milley said.
The January 6 Committee members who received pardons include former Republican Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, both of whom were outspoken critics of Trump and voted to impeach him after the Capitol riots. The pardon also extended to U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the committee.
“These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing,” Biden explained. “Even when individuals have done nothing wrong — and in fact have done the right thing — the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances.”
Republican lawmakers and commentators swiftly condemned the pardons. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) called the move unconstitutional and criticized Biden for undermining democratic norms. “Biden truly is one of the worst Presidents in American history and will only be remembered as the guy between Trump’s two terms,” Schmitt wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The controversy around these pardons follows previous backlash over Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter Biden, which many viewed as an abuse of executive power. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal had earlier voiced his opposition to preemptive pardons, warning they could be interpreted as tacit admissions of guilt and undermine the principle of due process.