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Joe Biden granted pre-emptive pardons to Anthony Fauci, Liz Cheney and Mark Milley, hours before handing over the US presidency to Donald Trump, who has vowed revenge against his political opponents.
The outgoing president’s last resort to protect dignitaries from possible future prosecution comes after Biden has already exercised his full pardon powers as he heads out of the White House.
It also comes ahead of what many expect to be a flurry of activity from President Trump as soon as he takes office later on Monday.
Trump allies, including former strategist Steve Bannon and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, have criticized the former chief medical adviser for his role overseeing the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic. They are calling for Mr. Fauci to be prosecuted.
The president-elect himself repromoted a photo on social media of Fauci and other political opponents in orange jumpsuits.
Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has long been an adversary of President Trump, warning in the run-up to last year’s election that the president was a “deep-rooted fascist.”
On Monday, Milley said she and her family were “deeply grateful” for Biden’s actions, adding: It allows me to fight against those who may seek unjust retribution for perceived slights. ”
Cheney, a prominent Republican, endorsed Kamala Harris during last year’s presidential campaign and served as vice chair of the Congressional Investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Trump repromoted a post last year on his Truth social site in which he accused Cheney of treason and said, “If you want a televised military tribunal, retract it.”
Biden said he would pardon members of Congress and staff who served on the committee, as well as police officers who testified.
“Amazingly, public servants continue to be threatened and intimidated for faithfully carrying out their duties,” he said in a statement.
Last year, the outgoing president pardoned his son Hunter Biden to avoid possible prison sentences related to federal gun and tax convictions and other crimes that could be investigated after 2014. caused a controversy.
President Trump is expected to begin his second term by pardoning some of the rioters convicted in connection with the attack on the Capitol that tried to stop the certification of Biden’s victory.
The president-elect has vowed to shake up U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the Justice Department and FBI, during his second term, making them more aggressive in targeting political and personal adversaries. Concerns are growing that they may try to use enforcement agencies.
Trump has frequently criticized the Justice Department’s “weaponization” against him in recent years. He was facing federal charges related to mishandling classified documents and his role in trying to overturn the election results.
