Biden pre-emptively pardons Trump foes

Gives similar pardons to members, staff

WASHINGTON:

US President Joe Biden issued pre-emptive pardons on Monday to former Covid advisor Anthony Fauci and retired general Mark Milley to shield them from potential "politically motivated prosecutions" under the Trump administration.

In an extraordinary move in his last hours in the White House, Biden gave similar pardons to members, staff and witnesses of the US House committee that investigated the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Donald Trump's supporters.

"I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics," Biden said in a statement. "But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing.

"These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions."

Trump has repeatedly promised "retribution" against his political opponents and threatened some with criminal prosecution.

Fauci, who led the country's fight against the Covid pandemic during Trump's first term, has become a hate figure for many on the right, including Trump ally Elon Musk, who has called for the scientist to be prosecuted.

Trump was enraged after Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told journalist Bob Woodward that the Republican was "fascist to the core" and a "dangerous person."

Milley also revealed that he had secretly called his Chinese counterpart after the Capitol attack to reassure Beijing that the United States remained "stable" and had no intention to attack China.

Trump subsequently wrote on his Truth Social network that "in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!" for Milley.

Milley thanked Biden for his executive action.

"I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights," he said in a statement.

Fauci also thanked Biden for the pardon, according to US media reports, but stressed "I have committed no crime.