President Biden Pardons Fauci and Milley to Guard Against Potential “Revenge” by Trump

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On Monday, President Joe Biden granted clemency to Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley (retired), and members of the House committee investigating the January 6th Capitol attack, in a rare exercise of presidential powers in his final days to shield them from potential retaliation by the incoming Trump administration.

Following a warning from Trump about an enemies list that included individuals who opposed him politically or pursued investigations related to his disputed 2020 election loss and the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Biden’s decision was made. Trump chose Cabinet nominees who supported his election falsehoods and vowed retribution against those investigating him.

Biden’s decision was a response to Trump threatening an enemies list that targeted those who questioned his 2020 election results or investigated him, which led to the U.S. Capitol being stormed on January 6, 2021. Trump picked his Cabinet members based on their support for his false election claims and desire to punish those investigating him.

Biden clarified that the pardons given are not an acceptance or recognition of any wrongdoing by the recipients. Receiving this pardon does not equate to an admission of guilt. Instead, we express our appreciation and gratitude for these public servants who have dedicated themselves tirelessly to serving our nation.

For quite some time, discussions about the pardons issued near the conclusion of President Biden‘s term have sparked intense debates within the upper echelons of the White House. While it’s common for a president to issue clemency at the end of their term, these acts of compassion are typically extended towards American citizens who have been found guilty of crimes.

Biden, as a Democrat, is employing his presidential power in its widest and least tested form yet: granting pardons to individuals who have not even been investigated. This move sets a precedent that could potentially allow for an even broader use of pardons by future Republican presidents like Trump, and any subsequent leaders.

Although the Supreme Court previously established that presidents have extensive protection from being prosecuted for acts performed in their official capacity, this immunity does not extend to the president’s advisors and associates. There is apprehension that future presidents could exploit the possibility of granting a full pardon as an incentive for allies to perform actions they might otherwise hesitate to do due to legal concerns.

It’s uncertain if individuals granted clemency by President Biden must actively apply for it or simply accept the offer he extends. Accepting could potentially be interpreted as an implied acknowledgement of wrongdoing, which might reinforce years of accusations made by Trump and his supporters, despite the fact that those pardoned have not been officially charged with any crimes.

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There’s some confusion about whether those given clemency by Biden will have to submit an application or just accept his offer. Accepting could be perceived as a silent acknowledgement of guilt or misdeeds, serving to validate years of claims by Trump and his allies, although no formal charges have been brought against those who have received pardons.

In these unique situations, I find it difficult to stand idly by. After all, it’s not right to take no action when there’s a call for help, even if people are innocent and will eventually be cleared of any wrongdoing. The simple act of being investigated or charged can leave lasting harm on a person’s reputation and financial standing.

For nearly four decades, I’ve been leading the charge at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases within the National Institutes of Health, a role that continued through President Trump’s term. Later, I had the honor to serve as President Biden’s chief medical advisor until my recent retirement in 2022. Throughout this time, I played a crucial part in guiding our nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. My stance against some of Trump’s unproven public health ideas didn’t sit well with him.

Since then, I’ve become an object of intense hostility and verbal attacks from certain groups on the right. They accuse me of imposing mask mandates and other measures they feel encroach upon their rights, all while we lost hundreds of thousands to this devastating virus.

Throughout my extensive career in public service, I and my colleagues have achieved significant accomplishments. However, I’ve faced politically-driven rumors of investigations and prosecutions against me. I want to make it crystal clear: there is no truth to these allegations. I have not committed any crime.

General Milley, who once served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has labeled former President Trump as a fascist and provided details on Trump’s actions leading up to the tragic January 6th insurrection. He expressed his appreciation towards President Biden for granting him a pardon.

He expressed that instead of spending his remaining time on Earth engaging in disputes with those who might unjustly seek revenge for perceived offenses, he prefers to avoid causing his family, friends, and colleagues any unnecessary distractions, financial burdens, or stress.

Additionally, Biden granted clemency to individuals associated with the January 6th investigative committee, including its members and staff, as well as officers from the U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police who shared their accounts of that chaotic day when it was stormed by a belligerent, violent group backing Trump.

For eighteen months, the investigative committee, headed by Representatives Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Liz Cheney (a Wyoming Republican who later promised to vote for Democrat Kamala Harris and joined her in campaigning against Trump), scrutinized Trump’s involvement in the insurrection. The final report of their investigation concluded that Trump was part of a multi-faceted conspiracy to illegally overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election, and he failed to take action to prevent his supporters from assaulting the Capitol.

Instead of acknowledging responsibility,” Biden stated, “the individuals involved in the January 6th incident have consistently tried to discredit and bully those who testified before the Select Committee. Their goal is to manipulate history, cover up the January 6th debacle for political advantage, and retaliate, even going so far as to suggest potential criminal charges.

Biden’s declaration did not specifically mention the numerous individuals and employees by name. It appears that some of them learned about the pardons only after they had been granted, as per a source acquainted with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press under the condition of confidentiality.

Biden, who advocates for institutional values, has pledged a seamless handover to the incoming administration, extending an invitation to Trump for a meeting at the White House and expressing confidence that the country will persevere, despite his cautions during his farewell speech about the rise of an entrenched elite. For years, he has expressed apprehension over Trump’s presidency as a potential danger to democracy. His decision to deviate from traditional norms was prompted by these very fears.

Joe Biden holds the record for the highest number of individual pardons and commutations granted by a president. Among those he pardoned was his son, Hunter.

It wasn’t just Trump who thought about granting preemptive pardons. His aides contemplated them for him and his supporters who were part of his unsuccessful attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which ended in the violent insurrection at the Capitol. However, Trump’s pardons were never issued before he stepped down from office four years ago.

In 1974, President Gerald Ford issued a complete and unconditional pardon to his former colleague, Richard Nixon, concerning the Watergate affair.

Upon taking office at midday, Trump has expressed his intention to swiftly issue pardons to numerous individuals implicated in the violent and bloody January 6th, 2021 incident, which left approximately 140 law enforcement officers injured. At a rally over the weekend, he stated, “Everyone gathered here in this vast crowd will be delighted with my decision.

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2025-01-20 17:55