Biden pardons Fauci and Milley in an effort to guard against potential 'revenge' by Trump
Source: AP
Updated 7:22 AM EST, January 20, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Joe Biden has pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, using the extraordinary powers of his office in his final hours to guard against potential "revenge" by the incoming Trump administration.
The decision by Biden comes after Donald Trump warned of an enemies list filled with those who have crossed him politically or sought to hold him accountable for his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss and his role in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump has selected Cabinet nominees who backed his election lies and who have pledged to punish those involved in efforts to investigate him.
"The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense," Biden said in a statement. "Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country."
It's customary for a president to grant clemency at the end of his term, but those acts of mercy are usually offered to everyday Americans who have been convicted of crimes. But Biden has used the power in the broadest and most untested way possible: to pardon those who have not even been investigated yet. And with the acceptance comes a tacit admission of guilt or wrongdoing, even though those who have been pardoned have not been formally accused of any crimes.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-fauci-milley-pardons-january-6-3cba287f89051513fb48d7ae700ae747
White House STATEMENT - Statement from President Joe Biden
January 20, 2025
Statement from President Joe Biden
Home Briefing Room Statements and Releases
Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy.
Yet alarmingly, public servants have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties.
In certain cases, some have even been threatened with criminal prosecutions, including General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, and the members and staff of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. 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.
General Milley served our nation for more than 40 years, serving in multiple command and leadership posts and deploying to some of the most dangerous parts of the world to protect and defend democracy. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he guided our Armed Forces through complex global security threats and strengthened our existing alliances while forging new ones.
For more than half a century, Dr. Fauci served our country. He saved countless lives by managing the governments response to pressing health crises, including HIV/AIDS, as well as the Ebola and Zika viruses. During his tenure as my Chief Medical Advisor, he helped the country tackle a once-in-a-century pandemic. The United States is safer and healthier because of him.
On January 6, 2021, American democracy was tested when a mob of insurrectionists attacked the Capitol in an attempt to overturn a fair and free election by force and violence. In light of the significance of that day, Congress established the bipartisan Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol to investigate and report upon the facts, circumstances, and causes of the insurrection. The Select Committee fulfilled this mission with integrity and a commitment to discovering the truth. Rather than accept accountability, those who perpetrated the January 6th attack have taken every opportunity to undermine and intimidate those who participated in the Select Committee in an attempt to rewrite history, erase the stain of January 6th for partisan gain, and seek revenge, including by threatening criminal prosecutions.
I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing. Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. Even when individuals have done nothing wrongand in fact have done the right thingand will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances.
That is why I am exercising my authority under the Constitution to pardon General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee. The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.
###

Mike Nelson
(10,467 posts)... but it's difficult to believe we have reached a point where this is necessary.
Joinfortmill
(17,180 posts)DENVERPOPS
(10,739 posts)The Media has seemed to forget, that the same day HW took office, after Reagan, he immediately pardoned over a hundred of Reagans administration who were actually indicted on serious charges, and who were actually truly guilty of MAJOR crimes. Some, I think, included for what were many acts of actual TREASON
3Hotdogs
(13,835 posts)ananda
(31,214 posts)...
3Hotdogs
(13,835 posts)Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)
C0RI0LANUS This message was self-deleted by its author.
whathehell
(30,028 posts)FloridaBlues
(4,448 posts)Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)
Post removed
Katinfl
(291 posts)Seeking Serenity
(3,113 posts)Do we give out blanket, non-specific pardons just to prevent criminal investigation/charges or whatever?
Treading new, potentially dangerous ground here, IMO
Lochloosa
(16,485 posts)He was never charged with a crime.
CaptainTruth
(7,407 posts)...saying a sitting president can't be criminally prosecuted, which became DOJ policy & practice for the next 50+ years, until SCOTUS made it "official."
tanyev
(45,340 posts)And because the justice system can no longer be trusted to throw those charges out as the nonsense they most certainly will be.
thesquanderer
(12,480 posts)...is, I'd say, less questionable than pardoning people who have indeed probably acted criminally (e.g. Steve Bannon, among numerous other questionable pardons and clemencies provided by presidents in the past).
Raven123
(6,335 posts)Biden is doing the only decent thing he can to protect these public servants from the abuse of power to come.
JohnSJ
(97,424 posts)Lochloosa
(16,485 posts)Seeking Serenity
(3,113 posts)Lochloosa
(16,485 posts)These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing, Biden said, adding that Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and in fact have done the right thing and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances.
JohnSJ
(97,424 posts)BumRushDaShow
(147,051 posts)I.e., they insist
that "DOGE" is somehow a real Department a President can shut down an agency or eliminate an entire Department at the stroke of a pen a President can "declassify" classified documents with a thought
then a "pardon" can be anything we say it is.

Seeking Serenity
(3,113 posts)This will come back to bite us in the ass. We won't like where this heads.
BumRushDaShow
(147,051 posts)Sometimes one has to stand up to the bully and human nature shows that people tend to gravitate towards those who are willing to "fight" however they can.
Continuing to "turn the other cheek" hasn't worked although we know that WE still have empathy and they have none.
sop
(12,493 posts)Your objections are based on a reality that no longer exists.
muriel_volestrangler
(103,000 posts)Let's face it, one lesson of the past 10 years is that nothing comes back to bite a politician in the ass. Trump is a criminal, a sexual abuser, and he tried to overthrow the US government, and yet millions of idiots re-elected him. Doing a necessary move to protect innocent people from him will not bit anyone in the ass.
Joinfortmill
(17,180 posts)Blues Heron
(6,359 posts)Hassin Bin Sober
(26,872 posts)And this post is no exception.
Accepting a pardon is not an admission of guilt.
RegexReader
(424 posts)explaining that to the average person. This confirms everything that has been said about them.
FarPoint
(13,822 posts)These fine heroes need protection from the beast.
COL Mustard
(7,184 posts)Now, what about Cheney, Kinzinger and the rest of the January 6 investigation?
Lochloosa
(16,485 posts)Biden is also extending pardons to members and staff of the Jan. 6 committee, including former Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, both Republicans, as well as the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the committee.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,872 posts)beyondtimes
(8 posts)The jan 6 comittee so yes cheney and kinziger would be included.
BumRushDaShow
(147,051 posts)along with the Capitol Police who testified. From the article -
I would add a link to the pardon text but I haven't found it yet (it hadn't been uploaded to Whitehouse.gov that is about to shut down today anyway).
thesquanderer
(12,480 posts)Trump's enemies list is long.
BumRushDaShow
(147,051 posts)including my (PA's) current Secretary of State and former (R) Philadelphia City Commissioner - Al Schmidt.
Al Schmidt testifying in front of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in June 2022
Some were there under subpoena too.
I think he was trying to cover the Committee, their staff, and the LEO who were impacted and became surrogates in support of the Committee's work. Those LEO were actually the very first ones to testify at the Committee's inaugural hearing, a month after the Committee came into existence, after which the Committee didn't have another hearing for almost a year..
Joinfortmill
(17,180 posts)Topomi
(12 posts)Too protect people from being harassed for their government service. How much do you think lawyering up would cost? Thanks Joe.
surfered
(4,864 posts)WestMichRad
(2,014 posts)them (GOPers) pardoning EVERYONE in and associated with their administration who might come under investigation for malfeasance in the future.
surfered
(4,864 posts)maxrandb
(16,225 posts)MadameButterfly
(2,397 posts)Just like the fillibuster. Which was protected only so long as Democrats needed it and now it will be removed so a Republican Senate can do as it likes.
They don't need a precedent to wreak their havoc. They will use this, but without it they would just make something up.
Ohioboy
(3,572 posts)These pardons will be used for propaganda, no matter how well Biden worded his statement.
Hope22
(3,496 posts)Its not a guess that they will. T already said he would!! Many more people who were just doing there jobs will be in line for prison.
travelingthrulife
(1,519 posts)These people fought hard for us and they deserve protection from MAGA nutballs.
emulatorloo
(45,728 posts)what Ive called willful misinterpretation.
DownriverDem
(6,737 posts)trump is hell bent on revenge. Sick man for a sick country.
Seeking Serenity
(3,113 posts)Paladin
(29,383 posts)FakeNoose
(36,538 posts)
bucolic_frolic
(48,562 posts)tetedur
(1,189 posts)Joe Biden did what he thought was right and necessary. That's good enough for me.
I understand Steve Bannon called for a military tribunal for Mark Milley. This is the guy that Trump put above the law when he ripped off Trump's own loyalists who sent Bannon money to build a wall and then Bannon put their money in his own pockets.
This is caliber of people who will be in charge of the military and the judicial system in a few hours.
HereForTheParty
(601 posts)Yes, our justice system can put people through the ringer. Even when they've done nothing wrong. But that's how we demonstrate they aren't guilty. Instead, we have Joe declaring their innocence in advance and the Trump DOJ invalid, just as Trump declared Joe's DOJ invalid.
I don't think the J6 committee committed any crimes. The J6 insurrectionists did plenty. But we trust our justice system to sort that out.
Hope22
(3,496 posts)Why is a 33 year old going to go to jail for stealing one document and an X president driving off with a truck full of documents justified? We dont have rule of law. We have a maniac with immunity and our national secrets have been released to our enimies!
Response to Hope22 (Reply #40)
Post removed
Hope22
(3,496 posts).hope you had a nice visit!
Rainman4u2C
(26 posts)If saying what's true but unpopular is frowned upon gets banishment then we are no better than the other side!
Bernardo de La Paz
(52,503 posts)The only true word is "elderly". The rest are lies and distortions.
Rainman4u2C
(26 posts)I didn't say it, Hur did in his report.
Bernardo de La Paz
(52,503 posts)Biden: careless, not even semi-public area, immediate admission and cooperation.
tRump: intentional, semi-public areas, continuous denial and obfuscation, continuous blockage and refusal to cooperate.
NOT FUCKING COMPARABLE!
Just stop pushing reich wing lies and distortions.
MadameButterfly
(2,397 posts)It repeats right wing talking points and claims Republicans and Democrats are the same
Hope22
(3,496 posts)Presidential immunity says it all and the court gave that to your fearless leader. What are you complaining about. If you need a pardon Im sure you can get one. The rest of the J6 clowns are ready to walk free!Fox is not your friend!
niyad
(122,079 posts)niyad
(122,079 posts)extreme court? aileen cannon? kaszmarack? THAT justice system? The one TRAITOR**/RAPIST/FELON34 has been using to his advantage, and to fuck everyine ekse over his entIre life? THAT justice system? The one that women have been told since the 70's would protect them, no ERA needed? THAT justice system?
YOU may trust that system. I certainly do not.
travelingthrulife
(1,519 posts)Bluetus
(581 posts)Last edited Mon Jan 20, 2025, 01:08 PM - Edit history (1)
This subject ALLOWS us to take the high ground. But Dems have to get out there and fight hard for the issue, rather than just hang out in their bunkers for 4 years.
This was a NECESSARY step because of the fascism that Trump, Musk and the cabinet of billionaires are visiting upon OUR COUNTRY.
The fact that your first impression was one of losing the engagement speaks volumes about how lousy today's Dems are at engaging in PR. THAT MUST CHANGE.
MadameButterfly
(2,397 posts)Time will justify the existing pardons and regret there were not more
Bluetus
(581 posts)It protects anybody on the Special Committee, and people who testified. But it should have included everybody on Patel's enemies list by name, because that would have given us a better starting point for making the case that this was a necessary response to the threat of unlawful persecution of innocent people.
MadameButterfly
(2,397 posts)Thanks for the update
HereForTheParty
(601 posts)You can't put your faith into our system of justice only when the other guys are being charged. Pardoning someone because they're innocent is a really strange argument to make.
Bluetus
(581 posts)This is no time to bring a white paper to a machine gun fight.
rawhideal
(63 posts)Sorry asses in congress going to try BS....
Wiz Imp
(3,621 posts)They say:
But earlier in the article they mention Biden's explicit statement:
So Biden explicitly says their is no admission of wrongdoing but the AP ignores that and says there is tacit admission of guilt. Bullshit. When the Pardon statement explicitly say there is no admission of wrongdoing, then that means there is no admission of wrongdoing, tacit or otherwise.
Who cares how Republicans try to spin it. They are the ones who want to throw people in jail for doing there jobs and not doing anything wrong. Republicans will complain regardless so their reaction should be taken as meaningless.
Hope22
(3,496 posts)SCantiGOP
(14,356 posts)The first is baked into the legal history of the pardon process; the second statement is what Biden said about this particular occasion.
Wiz Imp
(3,621 posts)When the pardon itself says it is not an admission of guilt, saying otherwise (just because people have traditionally thought that way) does not change that fact.
And the 10th circuit court of appeals in 2021 ruled that acceptance of a presidential pardon does not constitute admission of guilt.
Also, just a couple days ago, AP published an article on Trump's promised pardons of Jan 6 insurrectionists and made absolutely no mention of the accepting a pardon would be an admission of guilt. Clearly today's article was biased against Biden and those he pardoned.
JHB
(37,565 posts)...we're also at the point where he'll just ignore it and have a kangaroo court anyway.
DallasNE
(7,676 posts)Can open hearings and call witnesses, etc. They can still be drug through the mud and their reputations ruined.
JHB
(37,565 posts)If he feels he can get away with it, his cronies at Justice will do his bidding, and his cronies in the Supreme Court will allow it.
Norms be damned. What does he care about those?
riversedge
(74,227 posts)Paladin
(29,383 posts)rawhideal
(63 posts)Rand Pual pissed he going to try haul Dr Fauci before congress what a sorry asses......
niyad
(122,079 posts)dalton99a
(86,303 posts)Diamond_Dog
(35,854 posts)24601
(4,054 posts)still be subject to reduction in rank, which is an administrative process unaffected by a pardon. The action is taken by their Service Secretary or Secretary of Defense and an officer may be reduced to the highest rank in which they served satisfactorily - a subjective judgment.
jalan48
(14,661 posts)travelingthrulife
(1,519 posts)DallasNE
(7,676 posts)In Milley's case it would need to be in a military court, I would think. In Fauci/Cheney cases a Grand Jury would have to be convened and charges stem from that process. With Cheney it is an exclusive function of Congress so there seems to be jurisdiction issue involved. I don't even see how judge shopping gets an indictment so what am I missing?
BumRushDaShow
(147,051 posts)
(this is apparently the precedent that has been around for 50 years)
DallasNE
(7,676 posts)Watergate break-in, tape of Nixon directing the operation. There are no obvious crimes here.
33taw
(3,058 posts)DallasNE
(7,676 posts)The lack of faith in the criminal justice system that indictments could even be made. Biden even spoke of the financial ruin this could cause. It shows the vast amount of work that can't even start until Trump is out of office in 4 years. Until then, we are a lawless society.
33taw
(3,058 posts)JohnSJ
(97,424 posts)judges like Canon who are doing things that are NOT based in law.
tulipsandroses
(6,709 posts)We need to do what we have to. This is one of those things.
AllaN01Bear
(23,882 posts)
Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)
AkFemDem This message was self-deleted by its author.
fshrink
(3,410 posts)We are about to see what narcissistic rage driven vengeance looks like.
That's what this whole charade is about. Since 2016.
Jit423
(880 posts)STFU about this being a wrong move by Biden!
underpants
(188,542 posts)Jarqui
(10,558 posts)The vindictive felon gave him no choice.
Hopefully, some day, the United States will be a country that adheres to the rule of law and not the whims of a thug.
SomewhereInTheMiddle
(433 posts)What if he doesn't?
Sure, there is no mechanism for ignoring a presidential pardon (except state crimes). But that does not mean that Trump and his followers will not create an "Unpardon" power for the president out of whole cloth.
This is going into worst case scenario territory, but I fear for us all.
Stay strong.
Jarqui
(10,558 posts)What did Fauci do but try to help people, etc
Couldn't stand Dick Cheney but I credit his daughter with at least putting the Constitution and country ahead of the felon. And that is going to get punished?
Ditto for Milley
etc, etc, etc.
It won't last. Too many guns in the country.
LudwigPastorius
(11,596 posts)It would be up to whatever judge is overseeing an attempted indictment, or trial, of these individuals.
Trump can order his AG to go after these people, but those proceedings have to take place under a federal judge who will have full knowledge that the pardons issued today means that they are immune to prosecution for past actions.
OhioTim
(313 posts)Including all Democrats who are mayors of major cities, the entire Jan 6 Committee, all Democrats in congress, and the list goes on and on. We may have seen the last real election in 2024. Trump declares martial law, doesn't leave office or appoints his son or other cronies as president.
Susan Calvin
(2,196 posts)A list I found of people he pardoned was way shorter than it should have been.
BeyondGeography
(40,153 posts)Thank you, Mr. President.
LetMyPeopleVote
(158,038 posts)With just hours remaining, the retiring Democrat issued pardons for Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci and several people related to the Jan. 6 investigation.
https://bsky.app/profile/joy.msnbc.com/post/3lg6ijsjqlk2l
With just hours remaining, the retiring Democrat issued pardons for Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci and several people related to the Jan. 6 investigation
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/biden-preemptive-pardons-jan-6-cheney-fauci-milley-rcna188366
Those appearances were wrong. With just hours remaining in his term, Biden issued pardons for:
Ret. Gen. Mark Milley
Dr. Anthony Fauci
Members and staffers of the House Jan. 6 committee
Police officers who testified before the Jan. 6 committee
......"Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day," the outgoing president said in a written statement, which did not reference his Republican successor by name. "They are the lifeblood of our democracy. Yet alarmingly, public servants have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties."
"In certain cases, some have even been threatened with criminal prosecutions, including General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, and the members and staff of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. 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."....
"I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing," the outgoing president added in his statement. "Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and in fact have done the right thing and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances."
Biden concluded, "The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country."
drmeow
(5,445 posts)this statement "And with the acceptance comes a tacit admission of guilt or wrongdoing, even though those who have been pardoned have not been formally accused of any crimes." is actually not really accurate - but, of course, the lazy pro-fascist corporate media won't make the proper distinction.
andym
(5,838 posts)The pardons have to be general to protect against an incoming President with an enemies list. This should help prevent Trump from making the justice department partisan and then using it against his perceived enemies-- although he clearly wants to return to the days of the Andrew Jackson's spoils system, where basically every government job is due partisan favors.
Nixon had an enemies list and used the government against them (IRS for example)-- and Trump may still do the same. The difference was that Nixon's list was secret, not public, because such behavior was considered un-American.
sop
(12,493 posts)The DOJ and FBi can't spend the next couple of years feeding "Biden investigations and prosecutions" red meat to their horde of rightwing jackals in the media. Bondi and Patel will have to come up with something else to distract corporate media from Trump's failures.
Figarosmom
(4,352 posts)Now Jim Jorden will have to waste time and money picking on some other poor souls.
4catsmom
(472 posts)but it's a shame he has to pardon innocent people
totodeinhere
(13,521 posts)The MAGA world is going ballistic over this. Good for Joe. He was a great president. I know we all wish him the best in his retirement.
malthaussen
(17,920 posts)If that isn't a sign of a failed society, I don't know what is.
-- Mal
totodeinhere
(13,521 posts)Turmp forced him into this. All of the innocent people that Turmp threatened need to be protected. Good for President Biden.
the nelm
(28 posts)to trashing and harassing any of these people? It's what such a petty man like thing and bully does.
with criminal actions off the table, then administrative civil forfeiture will be used to seize their assets.
RegexReader
(424 posts)It doesn't look good. There are pix of Hunter with cocaine, and he did buy a pistol while suffering with that addiction cements the idea that he did get away with a felony. There are a lot of people in prison right now for that exact crime. Add in that he was pardoned for not paying a >Million$ in taxes and tax season is now upon us. And the fact that he skated on millions in taxes while the IRS is all up in people's business over $600 sales on eBay. Really not going to sit well with most. May have won this battle but lost the war of public opinion.
However, I'm remembering that the 'Final Solution' was legal in Germany and during the Nuremberg trials that the war criminals cited Martin Luther. So, when you're being loaded into the box cars or shoved into buses to go to some 'work camp'; or strapped into helicopters, just remember that they're going to be pardoned on 19 Jan 2029. And you will be wondering how it came down to this.
Not a good look....
LudwigPastorius
(11,596 posts)Trump just might make him "go through some things".
KS Toronado
(20,680 posts)

MichMan
(14,081 posts)LudwigPastorius
(11,596 posts)I expect to see Trump go after him. Fortunately, Mr. Smith has a degree of prosecutorial immunity as conferred by established Supreme Court decisions.
As long as he didn't fabricate, or accept fabricated, evidence, he's in the clear.
Dark n Stormy Knight
(10,159 posts)That he would even need to worry it could be necessary. But I support his action 100%.
KS Toronado
(20,680 posts)got so many of his loyal MAGAts to hate Dr. Fauci for the simple fact that he would not lie for him.
Lie for the Fuhrer or get death threats, reeks of Fascism doesn't it?