President Biden issues preemptive pardons for Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci, and January 6 committee members

In his final hours as president, Joe Biden grants pardons to outspoken Trump critics, including Liz Cheney, Mark Milley, and Anthony Fauci, amid heightened political tensions.

(CNN/AP)- President Biden issued pardons for General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of the congressional committee who investigated the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Monday’s preemptive pardons came in the final hours of Biden’s presidency.

They protect several outspoken critics of Donald Trump, including former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, against whom Trump has vowed revenge.

Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during the COVID-19 outbreak in Trump’s first term, has faced intense vitriol from the political right.

Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump’s first term, has warned that Trump is a fascist. Retired Gen. Mark Milley says he’s grateful to Biden for a pardon so he no longer has to worry about ‘retribution.’

In his statement, Biden said the pardons do not imply any recipient is guilty of any crimes, and none are required to accept the preemptive pardons.