Citing Trump’s retaliation, Biden grants advance pardon to family, aides. news

Those offering protections include Republican congressman Liz Cheney, immunologist Anthony Fauci and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley.

Former United States President Joe Biden used his final hours to issue preemptive pardons amid fears that President Donald Trump might try to prosecute alleged enemies.

Biden on Monday pardoned several of his family members, as well as former Republican lawmaker Liz Cheney, former White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley.

The move comes after Trump warned about a list of enemies who have overtaken him politically or his efforts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election and his involvement in the attack on the US Capitol four years ago. Demanding to hold him accountable for his role.

“These public servants have served our country with honor and distinction and they do not deserve to be the targets of unfair and politically motivated prosecution,” Biden said in a statement.

The US Constitution gives the President broad pardon powers for federal crimes. While pardons are typically granted to people who have been prosecuted, they may cover conduct that has not yet resulted in legal proceedings.

The pardons include all lawmakers, including Cheney, who served on the congressional select committee investigating the 2021 US Capitol riots, as well as police officers who testified before it.

In December, Trump supported calls for an FBI investigation into Cheney’s role in leading the congressional investigation into the attack.

‘Very grateful’

Committee Vice Chairwoman Cheney and Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson expressed gratitude to Biden for recognizing the threats and harassment they and their families have endured.

“We are forgiven today not for breaking the law but for following it,” he said in a statement.

Milley, who was Trump’s top military adviser between 2019 and early 2021, said in a statement that he was “deeply grateful” for Biden’s pardon.

After the January 6 attack on the Capitol, Milley called on Beijing to reassure China about US stability.

In a social media post, Trump described the phone call as “an act so despicable that, in times past, it would have been punishable by death”.

Fauci told Reuters news agency that the White House had contacted him on the issue a month ago. He announced that he had not apologized.

“I appreciate the president reaching out and trying to protect me from unfounded allegations,” Fauci said. “I have done nothing wrong and this is not an admission of any crime.”

Fauci has frequently clashed with Trump during the pandemic, and his supporters have continued to attack the former health official.

the family forgave

In addition to other members of his family, Biden also issued advance pardons to his brothers James and Francis; sister Valerie and her husband John; and Sarah, wife of James.

In December, Biden controversially issued a pardon for his son Hunter, who was convicted on firearms and tax charges, amid claims he was persecuted for political purposes.

“My family has been subjected to persistent attacks and threats that are motivated solely by a desire to hurt me — partisan politics of the worst kind,” Biden said in a statement. “Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe that these attacks will end.”

Trump condemned the move in remarks to supporters. “Did you know that while I was giving my speech, Biden pardoned his entire family?” Trump said.

During a separate conversation with reporters, Trump accused Biden of setting an “unbelievable example” for future presidents.

“I think now I have a precedent for doing that,” Trump said.