Biden Issues Pre-emptive Pardons for Key Figures Hours Before Leaving Office

In a dramatic move just before leaving office, President Joe Biden issued a whirlwind of pardons Monday morning, aiming to safeguard individuals that President-elect Donald Trump had threatened. Among those granted pardons were former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, members and staff of the committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, as well as Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before that committee.

Pardons for Notable Figures

The list of those receiving pardons from President Biden includes prominent figures such as Mark Milley, who held the esteemed position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and renowned medical expert Dr. Anthony Fauci. In addition, members and staff associated with the committee that conducted the investigation into the January 6 Capitol attack were also granted pardons. This group comprised Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who provided testimony before the committee.

President Biden emphasized that some of the individuals he preemptively pardoned were “threatened with criminal prosecutions” and that he “cannot in good conscience do nothing.” He expressed his conviction that these public servants, who have served the nation with honor and distinction, should not be targets of undue and politically motivated prosecutions. The president acknowledged Milley's more than 40 years of service to the U.S. and praised Dr. Fauci's significant contributions in managing responses to HIV/AIDS, the Ebola and Zika viruses, and his efforts in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Defense of the January 6 Committee Members

Biden extended his defense to the members of the January 6 committee, while openly criticizing those who have attacked and threatened them, though without directly naming Trump. His remarks came in response to Trump’s assertions that members of the January 6 committee should face investigation and imprisonment. The President pointed out that, instead of accepting accountability, those involved in the January 6th event have attempted to undermine and intimidate committee participants, seeking to rewrite history, erase the January 6th incident for partisan gain, and seek retribution, including by threatening criminal prosecutions.

Biden expressed his disapproval of “baseless and politically motivated investigations” that disrupt the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. He pointed out that even when individuals have done nothing wrong and are ultimately exonerated, the mere act of being investigated or prosecuted can cause irreparable damage to their reputations and finances. Furthermore, the president made it clear that the pardons granted should not be misconstrued as an admission of any wrongdoing on the part of those pardoned.

In a statement, Mark Milley expressed his profound gratitude for the President’s action, stating that he and his family are “deeply grateful for the President’s action today.” He further clarified that after dedicating forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to the nation, he did not wish to spend the remaining time fighting against those who may unjustly seek retribution for perceived slights. Milley expressed his desire to spare his family, friends, and colleagues from the ensuing distractions, expenses, and anxieties that such conflicts would bring.

President Biden's issuance of pardons signifies a significant and contentious moment in the waning hours of his presidency, as he sought to protect a group of individuals facing political threats, and his remarks underscored the deeply polarized political climate in the United States.