President Joe Biden angered Donald Trump's supporters by issuing a preemptive pardon to Dr. Anthony Fauci and all nine members of the commission investigating the January 6 Capitol riot.
The 82-year-old also used his final moments in the Oval Office to provide blanket protection for former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, who Trump says deserves to be executed.
Trump's base blames Fauci for the spread of COVID-19 restrictions including social distancing, mask-wearing and later vaccine mandates led by Biden.
Fauci also lied to Congress that the US had sent money to fund gain-of-function research for the laboratory in Wuhan, China, where the virus is believed to have originated and leaked.
Many hoped for a pardon from Biden ahead of political prosecution by the leaders of Trump's new Justice Department, including the chairman of the Jan. 6 panel, Bennie Thompson, and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney.
Trump will take his oath of office early Monday afternoon.
He is expected to sign at least 200 executive orders and actions on his first day behind the Resolute Desk — this includes pardoning those involved in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
On his way out the door, President Joe Biden is issuing preemptive pardons for a number of people he believes will be targeted by Donald Trump in his second term.
Most controversial of all is the pardon for Dr. Anthony Fauci, who served as leader of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and was responsible for recommending some of the most restrictive policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The most controversial of all of Biden's pardons to date is the protection of Fauci from federal prosecution.
“Congress should fully investigate Anthony Fauci,” one 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 for Fauci is his worst yet. He deserves a life sentence.”
“Fauci is the most prolific American serial killer of the 21st century,” podcaster Eric Matheny wrote on X. “He is neither 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 will pardon him,” he concluded.
Conservatives and those opposed to COVID-19 restrictions blame Fauci for spreading social distancing, mask-wearing, closing schools and mandating vaccinations
Biden wrote in a statement Monday morning about the pardons: “Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy. But it is alarming that civil servants are constantly threatened and intimidated for faithfully performing their duties.'
“That is why I am exercising my authority under the Constitution to denounce Gen. 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 pardon DC Metropolitan police officers. testified before the Select Committee,” the President announced.
“The granting of this pardon should not be construed as an admission that any individual has engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any crime,” he continued. “Our nation owes these officials a debt of gratitude for their tireless service to our country.”
Biden and first lady Jill Biden are busy leaving the White House ahead of inauguration activities on Monday morning.
At noon, Trump will be sworn in as president and return to the White House for a second four-year term.
Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney is among those to whom Biden granted preemptive pardons on Monday, including all eight of her colleagues who served on the House Select Committee during the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
The first pardon Biden granted after losing the 2024 presidential election to Trump was for his son Hunter Biden, 54, who was convicted of felony tax and federal crimes for lying about his drug use on a drug application form in 2018. to purchase a firearm.
This angered Democrats, who argued it would allow Trump to issue sweeping pardons without fear of being accused of hypocrisy.
And on the same day Biden pardoned his son, Trump announced he would pardon defendants charged with crimes related to the attack on the Capitol on January 6.
Biden wrote in his pardon announcement on Monday that the action is justified because these are officials who have been “threatened with criminal prosecution.”
“These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the target of unwarranted and politically motivated prosecutions,” he noted.
