20 Jan 2025
“These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing. Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.”
Who: President Joe Biden
What: Issued preemptive pardons
When: Monday, January 20th
Where: United States
Why: To shield individuals from potential retaliation by incoming President Donald Trump
In a historic use of presidential authority, President Joe Biden on Monday, January 20th, issued preemptive pardons to several high-profile figures, including Gen. Mark Milley [ executive grant of clemency - Milley], Dr. Anthony Fauci [ executive grant of clemency - Fauci], and members of Congress who served on the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack investigation committee. The move, made in the final hours of Biden’s presidency, aims to protect these individuals from possible retaliation by his incoming successor, Donald Trump.
The pardons mark an unprecedented flex of executive power, with Biden citing concerns over Trump's well-documented intentions to prosecute his critics. Among those pardoned is former Republican Representative Liz Cheney, a vocal Trump critic and prominent member of the January 6 investigation committee, whom Trump has repeatedly vowed to target.
Biden had reportedly deliberated issuing these pardons in recent days, fearing that Trump would waste no time in using federal powers to pursue his adversaries. The recipients of these pardons have all been frequent targets of intense criticism from Trump and his allies.
This extraordinary act underscores the escalating political tensions as Biden exits office and Trump prepares to re-enter the presidency.