Biden pardons Anthony Fauci, Liz Cheney and Mark Milley

Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free

Your guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world

Joe Biden gave the first pardon to Anthony Fauci, Liz Cheney and Mark Milley, hours before he left the US presidency to Donald Trump, who vowed to take revenge against political enemies.

The incoming president’s final move to protect high-ranking figures from potential impeachment comes next Biden he has used his grace powers to the full during his departure from the White House.

It also precedes what many expect to be an immediate sign of Trump’s actions. he takes a job later on Monday.

Allies of Trump, including Steve Bannon, his former adviser, and US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, have called for Fauci, the president’s chief medical adviser, to be charged for his role in overseeing America’s response to the the Covid-19 epidemic.

The incoming president himself posted a social media photo of Fauci wearing an orange jumpsuit, along with other political opponents.

Milley, a former chairman of the joint officers, has a long history of hostility with Trumphe warned during last year’s election that he was “fascist to the core”.

On Monday, Milley said he and his family were “deeply grateful” for Biden’s action, adding: “After 43 years of loyal service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the law of the foundation, I do not wish to use any time that is left. The Lord gives me the opportunity to fight those who would unjustly seek revenge for the things I think.”

Cheney, a prominent Republican, campaigned for Kamala Harris during last year’s presidential election and served as deputy chairman of the Congressional investigation into the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol.

Trump also published a post on his National Realm site last year that accused Cheney of treason and said: “RETRUTH IF YOU WANT TELEVISED MILITARY WEAPONS”.

Biden said he is forgiving members of Congress and staff members who served on the committee and police officers who testified.

“Appallingly, civil servants have been subjected to continuous threats and intimidation for the faithful performance of their duties,” he said in a statement.

Last year, the controversial president granted a pardon to Hunter Biden, his son, to avoid prison time on federal gun and tax charges, as well as other crimes. which he may be investigated from 2014.

Trump is expected to begin his second term with a pardon for some of the rioters convicted in connection with the Capitol attack as they tried to stop the certification of Biden’s victory.

The incoming president has vowed to shake up US law enforcement agencies, including the Justice Department and the FBI, during his second term, raising concerns that he will try to use them more aggressively to target political opponents. both political and personal.

Trump has often criticized what he calls the Justice Department’s “weapon” against him in recent years. He faced federal indictment on charges related to the mishandling of classified documents and his role in trying to overturn the election results.