President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021 protest
“Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families,” Biden announced Monday morning, after presiding over a Justice Department frequently accused of weaponizing government and targeting political enemies.
“That is why I am exercising my authority under the Constitution to pardon General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee,” Biden later added.
“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.”
The outgoing president previously stirred up questions after pardoning his son Hunter Biden. Notably, the president appears poised to leave office without pardoning his brother James Biden, who members of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee said was involved in the Biden family influence peddling.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., an outspoken member of the House oversight panel, said the pardons suggest the recipients are guilty, in a post on X.
None of the individuals have been charged. However, President-elect Donald Trump—set to be inauguration hours after the pardon—has suggested the individuals should be held accountable for crimes.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has argued that Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. has not been honest with Congress regarding questions about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Monday morning, Paul reacted in a post on X, noting that Fauci “will go down in history as the first government scientist to be preemptively pardoned for a crime.”
“If there was ever any doubt as to who bears responsibility for the COVID pandemic, Biden’s pardon of Fauci forever seals the deal. As Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee I will not rest until the entire truth of the coverup is exposed. Fauci’s pardon will only serve as an accelerant to pierce the veil of deception,” Paul posted.
Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs, admitted that he communicated with the Chinese government in early 2021 without consulting then-President Trump to calm concerns from Chinese officials about any military action against the country, promising advanced warning. Milley testified to Congress that he briefed Pentagon and White House officials before the call.
The House select committee investigating Jan. 6 was led by Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Vice Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. Cheney lost in the 2022 GOP primary for her seat, and now Rep. Harriet Hageman represents her former district.
The House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight concluded that the House select committee investigating Jan. 6 had deleted records. Committee members have denied the deletions. The House subcommittee investigating the investigators also determined that Cheney might have tampered with a witness. Cheney has denied this.
Tom Fitton, president of the government watchdog group Judicial Watch, called Biden’s final actions, “pardongate” and suggested incoming President Trump ignore the pardons.
Presidents have wide latitude in pardon. However, historically, accepting a pardon could carry a stigma.
After President Gerald Ford pardoned his predecessor Richard Nixon, he told the House Judiciary Committee the acceptance of a pardon, “does, in effect, admit guilt.”
This article was originally published at www.dailysignal.com
