President Joe Biden has granted sweeping pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and various officials linked to the January 6 select committee, an action aimed at shielding them from potential investigations under the incoming Trump administration. The announcement comes mere hours before Biden vacates the White House and President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated for a second term.
In a statement shared by the White House, Biden cited extraordinary circumstances and escalating threats as the driving force behind the pardons. “These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing,” he wrote, emphasizing that political retribution undermines the safety and financial stability of dedicated public servants and their families.
Key recipients of the pardon include members of Congress and staff who served on the January 6 Select Committee, as well as officers of the U.S. Capitol Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police who testified during the probe. Biden underscored the rising hostility faced by individuals who faithfully executed their duties, warning that “baseless and politically motivated investigations” could threaten the foundational principles of public service.
