Washington, D.C. – In a move aimed at preventing potential retribution, President Joe Biden has granted clemency to several critics of his designated successor, former President Donald Trump, on the eve of his departure from office. The White House announced the pardons on Monday, listing notable figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and several members of the House of Representatives who had investigated the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.
Among those pardoned is Republican Representative Liz Cheney, a vocal and sharp critic of Trump who had aggressively pursued investigations into his successor’s conduct. According to US media reports, Cheney had positioned herself strongly against Trump’s actions during the investigation.
Biden’s administration reportedly aimed to prevent critics of Trump from facing potential retribution under the new administration. In a statement, the President emphasized that the pardons should not be misinterpreted as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing, stating, “The granting of these pardons should not be misunderstood as an acknowledgment of a wrongdoer’s actions. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to these public servants for their tireless service to our country.”
Trump had threatened to take action against those who had politically targeted him or sought to hold him accountable for his role in the events surrounding the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.