President Joe Biden issued a series of pardons to protect individuals threatened by President-elect Donald Trump in his final hours in office. These pardons included former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, members and staff of the Jan. 6 committee, and Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers. Biden stated that the pardons were necessary to prevent unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions of these public servants.
Milley, Fauci, and the Jan. 6 committee members were praised for their service and dedication to the country, while Biden condemned those who have attacked them. The president-elect defended the actions of the committee members and criticized those seeking revenge against them. He emphasized the damaging effects of baseless investigations on individuals and their families, noting that these actions can irreparably harm reputations and finances.
The recipients expressed gratitude for the pardons, with Milley stating that he did not want to spend time fighting unjust retribution. Fauci appreciated the pardon, noting that the threats against him were politically motivated and baseless. Dunn, one of the police officers pardoned, acknowledged the political climate that made the pardon necessary.
However, Sen. Rand Paul criticized Biden’s pardon of Fauci, suggesting that it sealed responsibility for the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul vowed to investigate Fauci and expose any cover-ups related to the pandemic. The pardon of Fauci was seen as controversial and raised questions about accountability for decisions made during the pandemic response.
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