In his final hours as president, Joe Biden has issued pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The move comes as Biden seeks to protect these individuals from potential retribution by the incoming Trump administration, which has signaled an intent to target those involved in investigations or opposition to former President Donald Trump.
Biden’s decision to grant clemency is seen as a defensive measure, particularly in light of Trump’s warnings of a political “revenge” campaign. Trump has spoken of an enemies list, targeting those who have crossed him politically or helped hold him accountable for the 2020 election loss and his role in the Capitol riot. Trump’s Cabinet nominees, many of whom have supported his election fraud claims, have pledged to penalize individuals involved in efforts to investigate him.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly four decades, was a key figure in the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Biden’s chief medical advisor, Fauci became a prominent target for Trump’s supporters, particularly after he disagreed with the former president’s unfounded claims about the virus and public health measures. Fauci has since faced intense criticism and threats, primarily from the political right, over pandemic policies that many saw as infringing on personal freedoms.
General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was another key figure in the Trump era, particularly for his outspoken criticism of the former president’s handling of the January 6 insurrection. Milley referred to Trump’s actions surrounding the Capitol attack as “fascist” and provided detailed accounts of Trump’s behavior during the violent attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. Milley’s defense of democracy has drawn backlash from Trump’s supporters, contributing to the growing animosity against him.
Biden’s pardons also extend to members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol riot, including former GOP Representative Liz Cheney, who played a crucial role in holding Trump accountable for the attack. This act of clemency is seen as an effort to shield public servants who have faced personal and professional threats for their involvement in the investigation.
The pardons issued by Biden on his last day in office underscore the deepening political divides in the U.S. and the uncertainty that looms over the nation’s leadership as Trump returns to power.
