By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-20 13:12:45 | Updated at 2025-01-20 16:03:44
2 hours ago
President Joe Biden sparked fury from Donald Trump's supporters by issuing preemptive pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci and all nine members of the committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot.
The 82-year-old also used the final moments in the Oval Office to give blanket protection to former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, who Trump has said deserves to be executed.
Trump's base blames Fauci for the proliferation of COVID-19 restrictions, including social distancing, mask wearing and later vaccine requirements under Biden's leadership.
Fauci also lied to Congress about the U.S. sending money to fund gain-of-function research for the lab in Wuhan, China from where the virus is thought to have originated and leaked.
Many were hoping for a pardon from Biden in anticipation of being politically persecuted by leadership at Trump's incoming Department of Justice, including January 6 panel Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney.
Trump will take his oath of office in the early afternoon on Monday.
He is expected to sign at least 200 executive orders and actions on his first day back behind the Resolute Desk – this will include pardoning those who engaged in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
On his way out the door, President Joe Biden issue preemptive pardons for several that he thinks will be targeted by Donald Trump in his second term
Most controversial of all Biden's pardon's so far is the protection of Fauci from federal prosecution.
'Congress should fully investigate Anthony Fauci,' a conservative X account wrote, then suggested: 'And then states should criminally prosecute Anthony Fauci for murder.'
Another pro-MAGA account with 3.4 million followers wrote: 'Biden's pardon of Fauci is his worst one yet. He deserves prison for life.'
'Fauci is the most prolific American serial killer of the 21st Century,' podcaster Eric Matheny wrote on X. 'He's not a hero nor a respected man of science. He funded the creation of COVID, knew about its origins in a lab, and lied to the American people.'
'Of course Biden pardons him,' he concluded.
Biden wrote in a statement on the pardons on Monday morning: '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.'
'That is why I am exercising my authority under the Constitution to pardon General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee,' the president announced.
'The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense,' he continued. 'Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.'
Biden and first lady Jill Biden are in the middle of vacating the White House Monday morning before the inauguration activities.
At noon, Trump will be sworn in as president and move back into the White House for a second four-year term.
Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney are among those who Biden issued preemptive pardons for on Monday, which included all eight of her colleagues who served on the House Select Committee on the January 6 Capitol Attack
The first pardon Biden issued after losing the 2024 presidential election to Trump was for his son Hunter Biden, 54, who was convicted on felony tax charges as well as federal crimes for lying in 2018 about his drug use on a form to purchase a firearm.
This came to the ire of Democrats who felt it would give Trump permission to issue sweeping pardons without fear of being accused of hypocrisy.
And the same day Biden pardoned his son, Trump announced he would pardon January 6 defendants who were charged with crimes related to the Capitol attack.
Biden wrote in his pardon announcement on Monday that the action is warranted because they are public servants who have 'been threatened with criminal prosecutions.'
'These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions,' he noted.
