On the day President Biden leaves the White House, he issued preemptive pardons to protect people targeted by his incoming successor, Donald J. Trump, who has vowed “retribution.
In a significant and unprecedented move, President Joe Biden, in his final hours in office on January 20, 2025, issued preemptive pardons to several prominent individuals, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol attack.
These pardons aim to shield these individuals from potential politically motivated prosecutions by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously expressed intentions to target his political adversaries.
Biden spoke forcefully about his reasoning:
‘I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics,” Mr. Biden said in a statement. “But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing. Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety and financial security of targeted individuals and their families.’
He emphasized that the pardons should not be viewed as admissions of guilt but as protective measures against unjust political retribution.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and General Mark Milley, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have both faced criticism and threats from Trump and his supporters. Members of the House committee, including Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, also became targets due to their roles in investigating the Capitol attack. Mr. Biden also extended pardons on Monday to the entire staff of the Jan. 6 investigating committee as well as to the Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department officers who testified during the inquiry.
The use of preemptive pardons is rare and highlights concerns about the potential for the incoming administration to pursue charges against political opponents.