Biden Issues Preemptive Pardons to Family and Allies Amid Fears of Trump Retaliation
High-profile figures including Liz Cheney, Anthony Fauci, and Mark Milley among those receiving protection
In his final hours in office, former President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to several individuals amid concerns that President Donald Trump might target perceived political enemies for prosecution.
On Monday, Biden granted pardons to members of his own family, as well as prominent figures such as former Republican lawmaker Liz Cheney, ex-White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci, and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley.
This move comes in response to threats from Trump, who had previously indicated he would take action against those who criticized him or played a role in holding him accountable for his actions following the 2020 election loss and the 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol.
“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,” Biden stated.
Under the U.S. Constitution, the president has broad authority to issue pardons for federal offenses, which can apply to actions that have not yet resulted in legal proceedings. The pardons extended to Cheney, who served on the committee investigating the Capitol riot, and others involved in the inquiry. Cheney had previously been targeted by Trump’s allies, who called for an FBI investigation into her role.
Reactions of Gratitude
Cheney and Representative Bennie Thompson, vice chair of the committee, expressed their gratitude, emphasizing that their actions were in defense of the law rather than in violation of it. “We have been pardoned today not for breaking the law but for upholding it,” they said in a joint statement.
Milley, who served as Trump’s military adviser from 2019 until early 2021, also expressed thanks, saying he was “deeply grateful” for the pardon. Milley had faced criticism from Trump supporters after calling China to reassure them of U.S. stability following the January 6 Capitol attack.
Fauci, who frequently clashed with Trump during the pandemic, confirmed that he was informed about the pardon a month ago but emphasized that he had done nothing wrong. “I appreciate the president reaching out and trying to protect me from baseless accusations,” Fauci stated. “This is no admission of any guilt.”
Biden Extends Pardons to Family Members
Biden also extended pardons to his brothers James and Francis, his sister Valerie and her husband John, and his sister-in-law Sara. In December, Biden had granted a controversial pardon to his son Hunter, who faced charges related to firearms and taxes, citing political motivations behind the prosecution.
“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 said in a statement, adding that he believed the attacks would persist.
Trump Criticizes Biden’s Actions
Trump reacted negatively to Biden’s pardons, accusing him of setting an “unbelievable precedent” for future presidencies. “Did you know that Biden, while I was making my speech, pardoned his whole family?” Trump said to his supporters. He also suggested that Biden’s actions now gave him a reason to do the same in the future.