President Joe Biden executes his last major action as commander-in-chief just hours before Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony.
According to Breitbart News, Biden issued preemptive pardons to former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of the January 6 Committee at 7 a.m. Monday morning, mere hours before President-Elect Trump takes office.
The controversial decision comes amid mounting pressure and alleged threats of prosecution against these public figures. The pardons extend to several key figures who served during Biden's administration and the aftermath of January 6, including U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee.
House Oversight Committee Republicans quickly responded by highlighting that Biden had also pardoned his son Hunter Biden, despite previous assurances to the contrary.
Sen. Jim Banks expressed determination to pursue accountability measures against General Milley despite the pardon. The Indiana Republican's response reflects broader Republican opposition to Biden's eleventh-hour executive actions. This development adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious transition of power.
Biden defended his decision by emphasizing the exceptional circumstances surrounding these cases. He expressed concern about the impact of what he termed "baseless and politically motivated investigations" on the individuals' lives, safety, and financial security. The president stressed that accepting the pardons should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
The White House statement elaborated on the contributions of each pardoned individual, particularly highlighting Milley's four decades of military service and Fauci's half-century career in public health. Biden specifically praised their roles during critical moments in recent American history.
In his official statement, Biden emphasized the importance of protecting public servants from what he characterized as intimidation and unjust prosecution.
The president stated:
Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy. Yet alarmingly, public servants have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties.
The pardons specifically address concerns about potential retribution against those involved in investigating the January 6 Capitol attack. Biden's administration maintains that these individuals performed their duties with integrity and commitment to uncovering the truth about the events of that day.
The timing of these pardons, issued during Biden's final hours in office, has intensified political tensions. Critics view the move as an attempt to shield political allies from future prosecution, while supporters argue it's necessary protection for public servants who fulfilled their duties under extraordinary circumstances.
The preemptive pardons issued by President Biden to General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and January 6 Committee members represent one of his final and most controversial acts as president. The pardons, announced just hours before Trump's inauguration, aim to protect these public figures from potential future prosecution while simultaneously drawing criticism from Republican leaders and oversight committees.
The decision affects multiple high-profile individuals who served during critical periods in recent American history, including the COVID-19 pandemic response and the investigation of the January 6 Capitol attack. As Trump prepares to take office, these pardons establish a significant precedent and ensure continued debate about presidential power and accountability in American democracy.
