In one of his final acts as president, Joe Biden issued a sweeping series of preemptive pardons on Monday to several high-profile figures, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the now-defunct House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots. The controversial move, made just hours before Donald Trump’s inauguration, drew swift backlash from Republicans, with President Trump himself calling it “disgraceful” and labeling many of the pardoned individuals as “guilty of major crimes.”
Among the recipients were former Rep. Liz Cheney, former committee chair Bennie Thompson, and law enforcement officers who testified before the January 6 panel. Biden justified the pardons as a response to what he called “unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions.” In a statement, he said, “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’s pardon of Fauci, the former chief medical advisor, was especially contentious. Fauci has faced allegations of lying to Congress regarding federal funding for gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a key issue in the origins of COVID-19. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who has been a vocal critic of Fauci, blasted the decision, stating, “Biden’s pardon of Fauci forever seals his role in the COVID cover-up.” Fauci, however, expressed gratitude, calling the pardon “a relief” and denying any wrongdoing.
Gen. Mark Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was also pardoned. Milley has been a polarizing figure, openly criticizing Trump and admitting to unauthorized communications with China during Trump’s presidency. In his statement, Milley thanked Biden, saying, “I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution.”
The list of pardons also included figures tied to the January 6 committee, such as Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, both of whom faced sharp criticism from Republicans for their roles in the investigation. Trump and his allies have long accused the committee of destroying evidence and conducting politically motivated attacks.
Biden’s decision to issue these pardons was met with scathing criticism from Republicans. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) called the move “the most corrupt use of executive power in American history,” while conservative activist Tom Fitton argued that Biden’s blanket pardons are “unconstitutional nullities.” Trump himself vowed to review the validity of these pardons, suggesting they could be ignored by his administration if deemed legally questionable. “These are political thugs,” Trump said of the January 6 committee members, adding, “For what they did, honestly they should go to jail.”
Biden’s pardons capped a presidency marked by accusations of favoritism and controversial uses of executive power. With his term ending in scandal, the backlash to these last-minute pardons highlights the stark contrast between the outgoing and incoming administrations. For conservatives, Biden’s actions reinforce concerns about accountability and the rule of law, setting the stage for President Trump’s pledge to restore justice and transparency during his second term.
