Biden issues pardons to protect Milley, Fauci and others from Trump retaliation: statement

US President Joe Biden on Monday issued preventive pardons for General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci and the members of the congressional commission and witnesses of January 6, stating that “they do not deserve to be subjected to unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions.” motivated.”

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, reported in a statement on Monday about his decision to issue preventive pardons for people against whom his Republican successor Donald Trump has retaliated, including by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and former White House Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci.

The pardon also covers all lawmakers who served on the congressional select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol by Trump supporters, and police officers who testified before it.

Tump, who will return to the presidency this Monday, has repeatedly called for the prosecution of his perceived enemies since winning the White House in November.

Biden praised public officials as the “lifeblood of our democracy.” Without mentioning Trump, he expressed alarm that some of them were subjected to threats and intimidation for doing their jobs.

“These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be subjected to unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions,” Biden said in a statement.

In December, Trump backed a call for the FBI to investigate fellow Republican Liz Cheney for her role in leading the Congressional investigation into the assault on the US Capitol by her supporters on January 6, 2021.

Fauci often had differences of opinion with Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic and his supporters have continued to attack the former top health official.

Milley was quoted in the book “War” by Bob Woodward, which was published last month, calling Trump “a fascist to the core” and Trump's allies have attacked him for his alleged disloyalty to the former president.

Reuters reported in November that Trump's transition team was drawing up a list of military officers considered related to Milley to be fired.