Biden Pardons Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Milley, and Members of January 6 Committee

President joe biden On Monday he granted pardons to Dr. Antonio Fauci, Gen. Marcos Milleymembers of Congress who investigated the January 6 Capitol Riot and others who, he said, are under threat of being attacked “without foundation” for political purposes.

The avalanche of preventive pardons came hours before the president-elect donald trump – who has called out some of his political enemies be imprisoned – takes office.

“These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be targets of unwarranted and politically motivated prosecutions,” Biden said in a news release.

“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 anything,” he said.

Biden’s statement emphasized that pardons “should not be confused with an acknowledgment that any individual participated in any crime, nor should acceptance be misinterpreted as an admission of guilt for any crime.”

Biden also said he is forgiving staff who served on the House select committee on Jan. 6 and police officers who testified before him.

Fauci led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and was the face of the United States’ response to the deadly coronavirus pandemic. Milley served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff beginning in 2019, under Trump.

“My family and I are deeply grateful for the president’s action today,” Milley said in a statement Monday morning.

“After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend the remaining time that the Lord grants me fighting those who might unjustly seek retaliation for what I perceive as slights,” he said .

This is breaking news. Update to get updates.