
President Biden’s final hours in office were marked by a flurry of controversial pardons, including figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci and Gen. Mark Milley, raising questions about presidential power and political legacy.
Quick Takes
- Biden pardoned Fauci, Milley, and Jan. 6 committee members to protect against potential “revenge” by the incoming Trump administration.
- The pardons were announced in Biden’s final hours, marking an unusual use of presidential clemency.
- Critics argue these pardons set a dangerous precedent for future presidents.
- The inclusion of Hunter Biden in the pardons drew significant criticism.
Biden’s Controversial Pardons: A Preemptive Strike
In a move that has sent shockwaves through Washington, President Joe Biden issued a series of pardons in his final hours as Commander-in-Chief. The pardons, which cover a range of high-profile figures including Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol attack, have been characterized by Biden as a preemptive measure against potential retribution from the incoming Trump administration.
The decision to issue these pardons has ignited a firestorm of debate, with supporters praising Biden’s efforts to protect public servants and critics decrying the move as an abuse of presidential power. The pardons extend to a wide array of individuals, including Congress members and police officers who were part of the investigation into the Capitol riot, effectively shielding them from potential scrutiny under a new administration.
Biden’s legacy is pure corruption. https://t.co/ZX4iscH6tb
— Dave Smith (@ComicDaveSmith) January 20, 2025
Fauci and Milley: Key Figures in the Pardon Controversy
Two of the most prominent figures receiving pardons are Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and retired Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Both had faced significant criticism during their tenure in public service.
“I really truly appreciate the action President Biden has taken today on my behalf. I have committed no crime … and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me,” Fauci stated in response to the pardon.
Gen. Milley, who had previously criticized former President Trump, expressed gratitude for the pardon, emphasizing his desire to avoid retribution and protect his family from distress. “I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights. I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety,” Milley stated.
The Hunter Biden Factor: A Controversial Addition
Perhaps the most contentious aspect of Biden’s actions was the previous pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who view it as a clear violation of Biden’s previous promise not to intervene on his son’s behalf. Critics argue that this move severely damages Biden’s legacy and undermines the integrity of the presidential pardon power.
“The guy who claimed he would ‘protect norms’ continues to bulldoze them and the Constitution until the bitter end. Biden truly is one of the worst Presidents in American history and will only be remembered as the guy between Trump’s two terms,” stated Sen. Eric Schmitt, voicing the sentiments of many conservatives.
Implications for Future Presidents and Presidential Power
The unprecedented nature of these pardons has raised concerns about the potential for abuse of presidential clemency powers in the future. Some worry that this sets a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging future presidents to use pardons as a tool to protect political allies from legal consequences. This could fundamentally alter the balance of power and accountability in American politics.
Taylor Budowich, Trump’s incoming deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel, said that Biden’s pardons “will go down as the greatest attack on America’s justice system in history.”
“With the stroke of a pen, he unilaterally shielded a group of political cronies from the scales of justice. This is yet another dangerous and unreversible erosion of American norms,” Budowich posted to X.
As the dust settles on Biden’s presidency, these pardons will likely be a significant part of his legacy, sparking ongoing debates about the limits of presidential power and the role of pardons in the American political system.