Biden hands pre-emptive pardons to family and allies citing Trump retaliation | News

Republican lawmaker Liz Cheney, immunologist Anthony Fauci and former chief of staff Mark Milley, among others, provided protection.

Former US President Joe Biden used his final hours to issue pre-emptive pardons amid fears that President Donald Trump could try to prosecute perceived enemies.

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

The move comes after Trump warned of an enemy list full of those who have crucified him politically or sought to hold him accountable for his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss and his role in the election. storming of the US Capitol four years ago.

“These officials have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unwarranted and politically motivated prosecutions,” Biden said in a statement.

The U.S. Constitution gives a president broad powers powers granted for federal violations. Although pardons are usually granted to people who have been prosecuted, they can also relate to conduct that has not yet resulted in legal proceedings.

The pardon applies to all lawmakers, including Cheney, who served on the congressional committee investigating the 2021 Capitol riots, and to police officers who testified before it.

Trump in December backed a call for the FBI to investigate Cheney over her role in leading the congressional investigation into the attack.

‘Deeply grateful’

Cheney and Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, the committee’s vice chairs, expressed gratitude to Biden for recognizing the threats and intimidation they and their families have suffered.

“We were pardoned today, not for breaking the law, but for enforcing it,” they said in a statement.

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

In the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, Milley called Beijing to reassure China of U.S. stability.

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

Fauci told Reuters that the White House had reached out about the issue a month ago. He stated that he had not applied for a pardon.

“I appreciate the president reaching out and trying to protect me from baseless accusations,” Fauci said. “I did nothing wrong and this is not an admission of guilt.”

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

Family pardoned

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

In December, Biden controversially released a decision pardon for his son Hunterwho was convicted on firearms and tax charges, and claimed he was persecuted for political purposes.

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

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

On a separate call with reporters, Trump accused Biden of setting an “incredible precedent” for future presidents.

“I think I have a precedent now to do it,” Trump said.