Biden grants early pardons to Fauci, Millie before Trump takes office

In the final hours before Donald Trump’s inauguration, President Joe Biden issued early pardons to potential targets of the new Trump administration, including prominent figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley and lawmakers who served on the House Committee on Jan. 6. .

What he says: Biden justified the pardon on the grounds that public servants play a critical role in maintaining democracy and have faced constant threats and intimidation while faithfully performing their duties, especially in light of possible retaliation promised by Trump during his 2024 campaign.

• “Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy,” Biden said in a statement. “However, it is alarming that civil servants are subjected to constant threats and intimidation for the conscientious performance of their duties.”

The big picture: The preemptive pardons were intended to shield individuals such as Milley, who has been criticized by Republicans over the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, and Fauci, who has faced a negative government response to the pandemic, from potential legal repercussions in light of political vendettas.

• The decision to issue a precautionary pardon follows Biden’s earlier full pardon of his son Hunter Biden, indicating a strategic move to protect key figures in the face of looming political threats and uncertainty.