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Joe Biden preemptively pardoned a number of people, including the head of the Covid response Anthony Fauci and those involved in the investigation of the January 6 riots, to prevent “unwarranted … politically motivated prosecutions”.
Trump, due later on Monday, has regularly clashed with Dr Fauci during the pandemic and suggested he would take action against those who tried to hold him accountable for the January 6 Capitol riot.
Biden also pardoned retired general Mark Milley in advance, who called Trump “fascist to the core” and “dangerous.”
The outgoing US president said, “Our nation is grateful to these public servants for their tireless commitment.”
“These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of an unwarranted and politically motivated prosecution,” Biden said in a statement.
He added that the pardon “should not be taken as an admission” that any of those covered were “involved in any wrongdoing”.
Democrats warned the outgoing president against such actions. Adam Schiff, a senator from California, said Biden could set a “precedent” for “every president from now on who walks out the door granting a broad category of pardons.”
Trump in December backed a call for the FBI to investigate Liz Cheney, a fellow Republican, over her role in leading Congress to investigate the Jan. 6 riots.
Mr Fauci – who led the US response to the Covid-19 pandemic – has often been criticized by Mr Trump and his political allies.
Gen. Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporter Bob Woodward last year that he feared being drafted again and put on trial for “disloyalty” by Trump.
According to Woodward, he warned colleagues that Trump was “a walking, talking advertisement for what he was trying to do.” He noted that Steve Bannon, a key Trump ally, had promised to “hold him accountable.”
Biden’s pardon extends to members of the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 riots, as well as staffers and officers who testified.
Trump is set to pardon some of those convicted of crimes related to the riots.
“Tomorrow you’re going to see something,” Trump said Sunday, referring to the Jan. 6 rioters. – I think you will be very, very happy.
On the campaign trail, Trump at times railed against “enemies within” and endorsed several figures who vowed revenge against his enemies to join his cabinet.
However, Pam Bondi, who picked him to be attorney general, said as much during last week’s confirmation hearing there will never be an enemy list and that she will not use the Justice Department to target anyone based on their policies.
