Washington:
US President Joe Biden on Monday granted pre-emptive pardons to former COVID-19 adviser Anthony Fauci and retired General Mark Milley to protect them from “politically motivated prosecution” under the Trump administration. gave.
In an unusual move in his final hours at the White House, Mr. Biden announced that he would be joining members and staff of the U.S. House committee investigating the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. , granted similar pardons to witnesses.
“These public servants serve our country with honor and distinction, and they do not deserve to be the subject of unwarranted and politically motivated prosecutions,” Biden said in a statement.
“This is an exceptional situation and nothing can be done in good conscience.”
Trump, who took office on Monday, has repeatedly promised “retaliation” against his political opponents and threatened criminal prosecution of some.
Fauci has become the face of the nation’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic, but his outspoken views on the disease put him at odds with Republicans during Trump’s first term.
The scientist has also become an object of hatred for many on the right, including President Trump ally Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, who has repeatedly called for Fauci to be prosecuted.
Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump’s first term, told journalist Bob Woodward that Trump is a “deep-rooted fascist” and “the most dangerous person to this country.” , Trump was furious.
Milley also revealed that he secretly called his Chinese counterpart after the Capitol attack to reassure the Chinese government that the United States remained “stable” and had no intention of attacking China.
Afterward, President Trump posted on his Truth social network, “In the past, it would have been the death penalty!” For Millie.
Meanwhile, members of the Jan. 6 committee included former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, a fierce critic of President Trump and the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
“These baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and economic security of targeted individuals and their families,” Biden wrote.
Democrats added that a pardon “should not be misconstrued as an admission that an individual has engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance of a pardon be an admission of guilt for any crime.”
President Trump has repeatedly claimed he is a victim of “the law” under the Biden administration after he was criminally indicted on charges including trying to overturn the 2020 election.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
