Biden pardons Fauci, Cheney and Jan. 6 panel ahead of Trump inauguration
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
President Biden presents former Rep. Liz Cheney the Presidential Citizens Medal during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on Jan. 2. Photo: John McDonnell/ for The Washington Post via Getty Images
President Biden issued historic preemptive pardons for former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci, members of the House Jan. 6 committee and others on Monday, granting them broad immunity before President-elect Trump's White House return, multiple outlets reported.
Why it matters: He issued the blanket pardons after President-elect Trump repeatedly threatened to investigate or jail his political enemies.
Driving the news: Biden said in a statement Monday that the pardons should not be construed as an "acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing."
- Rather, Biden said he wished to protect the individuals from damage to their reputations or finances by "baseless and politically motivated investigations." His statement did not mention Trump by name.
- "Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country," the statement read.
The big picture: The pardons benefit people who have been the target of Trump's ire as he mounted his bid for another term in the White House.
- Fauci was, for decades, the nation's top infectious disease expert. He led the country through the COVID-19 pandemic, and was repeatedly attacked by Trump, who sought to downplay the pandemic.
- Retired U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had issued stark warnings about Trump, calling him a fascist and a "wannabe dictator."
- Among Trump's most famous opponents on the Jan. 6 select committee was former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). Her anti-Trump criticism ostracized her from much of the Republican party.
- Trump has said Cheney and other members of the Jan. 6 committee should go to jail.
State of play: Biden issued the preemptive pardons for Fauci, Milley, the members and staff who served on the Jan. 6 select committee, and the law enforcement officers who testified before the committee just hours before his term ends.
- Fauci told CNN Monday that while he had done nothing wrong, he was "grateful" to Biden for the preemptive pardon, saying he had become increasingly concerned about threats against his family.
- Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn echoed Fauci's sentiment, saying in a statement that he was "eternally grateful" to Biden for the pardon, CNN reported.
- "I wish this pardon weren't necessary, but unfortunately, the political climate we are in now has made the need for one somewhat of a reality," Dunn added.
Cheney and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who co-chaired the select committee, issued a joint statement Monday thanking Biden for their pardons.
- "We have been pardoned today not for breaking the law but for upholding it," they said.
Zoom out: Biden had been reportedly mulling issuing a slate of preemptive pardons for weeks for individuals likely to be targeted by Trump.
- Last month, Biden controversially pardoned his son Hunter following his conviction on felony gun charges and guilty plea on felony tax charges.
Editor's note: This story was updated with reaction to Biden's pardons and additional context.
