JOE Biden has pardoned lockdown chief Anthony Fauci in his final act before Donald Trump takes office.
Fauci, 84, was the face of the US government’s response to the Covid pandemic.
Anthony Fauci answers questions at a news conference during the Covid pandemic[/caption]
Biden greets Fauci and his wife Dr Christine Grady in the Oval Office[/caption]
He was the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health for nearly 40 years – and Biden’s chief medical advisor until his retirement in 2022.
Biden also pardoned General Mark Milley – former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – and members of the January 6 congressional committee and witnesses.
Using the powers of his office in his final hours, he said they “do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions”.
The decision comes after Trump warned of an “enemies list” filled with those who have crossed him politically or tried to hold him accountable for his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss.
Biden said: “The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgement 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.”
It is typical for a president to grant clemency at the end of his term – but it’s usually dished out to everyday Americans who have been convicted of crimes.
Now, Biden has used the power in the most untested way possible – to pardon public officials who have not even been investigated yet.
He said: “These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing.
“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.”
As well as Fauci and Milley, Biden is pardoning members and staff of the January 6 committee – including former Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, both Republicans.
He is also pardoning US Capitol and DC Metropolitan police officers who testified.
Biden has set the presidential record for most individual pardons and commutations issued.
On Friday, he announced he would be commuting the sentences of almost 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offences.
And he previously announced he was commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment.
In his first term, Trump presided over a spate of 13 executions.
Fauci was the face of the US government’s response to the Covid pandemic[/caption]
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