Biden’s Final Pardons: Shielding Key Figures Amid Political Shift

President Biden issues strategic pardons to protect key figures from potential retribution by the incoming Trump administration.

Top Takeaways

Biden pardons Dr. Fauci, Gen. Milley, and Jan. 6 committee members before leaving office.
Issues Pardons for family including his brother.
Pardons aim to shield individuals from possible legal challenges under Trump.
Move highlights contentious political atmosphere during power transition.
Action sets precedent for broader use of presidential pardons.

Biden’s Last-Minute Pardons Spark Controversy

In a surprising move during his final hours in office, President Joe Biden has issued a series of pardons to key figures who faced potential legal challenges under the incoming Trump administration. The pardons, granted to Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the January 6th investigation committee, have ignited a firestorm of debate about the use of presidential powers and the state of American politics.

The pardons were announced just before Biden’s departure from the White House, as President-elect Trump prepared to take office again. This strategic move is seen as a protective measure against what some view as potential “revenge” by the incoming administration. Trump has previously warned of an “enemies list” targeting those who opposed him politically or held him accountable for actions related to the 2020 election and the January 6 insurrection.

Fauci and Milley Express Relief

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years and was Biden’s chief medical advisor until 2022, expressed relief upon receiving the pardon. Fauci, who faced criticism from Trump and his supporters during the pandemic, cited concerns about politically motivated threats.

“I really truly appreciate the action President Biden has taken today on my behalf. I have committed no crime … and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me.” – Fauci

Retired Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also expressed gratitude for the pardon. Milley, who had criticized Trump and described his actions during the January 6 insurrection, stated his desire to avoid unnecessary distress for his family and friends.

Biden also issued preemptive pardons for members of his family including James Biden, Sara Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens, and Francis Biden. “My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me — the worst kind of partisan politics,” Biden wrote in a statement. “Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end.”

Controversy Surrounds Biden’s Decision

The pardons have sparked immediate condemnation from some quarters. Sen. Eric Schmitt criticized Biden’s actions, stating, “The guy who claimed he would ‘protect norms’ continues to bulldoze them and the Constitution until the bitter end. Biden truly is one of the worst Presidents in American history and will only be remembered as the guy between Trump’s two terms.”

The pardons also cover individuals involved in the January 6 select committee investigation, including members of Congress, staff, and police officers who testified. Notably, Special Counsel Jack Smith, former FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Attorney General Merrick Garland were not included in the pardons.

Implications for Future Administrations

This unprecedented use of presidential clemency sets a potentially concerning precedent for the broader use of pardons by future presidents. It underscores the increasingly fraught nature of political transitions in the United States and raises questions about the long-term consequences of such actions on the stability of democratic institutions.

As another Trump presidency gains steam, the impact of these pardons on the political landscape remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that they have added another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous period in American politics.