On Monday, in the final hours of his Presidency, Biden granted pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that examined the January 6 Capitol attack, along with Biden’s siblings.
Biden clarified in a statement that the pardons should not be misinterpreted as admissions of guilt or misconduct.
Although it is not uncommon for presidents to extend clemency towards the end of their terms, it typically involves individuals who have faced criminal convictions.
Trump condemned Biden’s actions as disgraceful in a recent interview.
Biden opted for an unprecedented approach in granting pardons, extending them even to those who have not undergone investigations.
Last year’s Supreme Court ruling confirmed that presidents enjoy wide-ranging immunity for official conduct, but aides and allies do not benefit from this protection. It remains uncertain if the individuals pardoned will need to seek clemency themselves, as accepting a pardon could imply an acknowledgment of guilt, further validating unsubstantiated accusations from Trump and his supporters, although none faced formal charges. The pardons for Fauci and Milley encompass actions dating back to January 1, 2014.
Dr. Fauci led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly four decades, including during the Trump presidency, and was Biden’s chief medical advisor until his retirement in 2022. He played a role in managing the nation’s COVID-19 response, which often put him at odds with Trump’s questionable public health recommendations. As a result, Fauci has faced harsh criticism from for restrictive policies amidst significant public health challenges.
In a statement, Fauci asserted that his lengthy career achievements were overshadowed by politically motivated threats of investigation, firmly declaring his innocence.
Meanwhile, Milley expressed gratitude for the pardon, stating that he prefers not to engage in disputes with those who might seek vengeance over perceived insults. He emphasized that he wishes to avoid placing his loved ones in stressful situations.
Additionally, Biden granted pardons to members and staff of the January 6 committee, along with U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified about their experiences during that day.
The committee devoted 18 months to investigating Trump’s involvement.
Joe Biden established a record for issuing the most individual pardons and commutations, including one for his son, Hunter Biden.
Why would Biden anyone who is truly innocent. Comment below.
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https://apnews.com/article/biden-pardons-family-trump-white-hous-caee326c4723a4ba6d972f7daf750a0b
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