These are some very strange pardons for people who Democrats have been calling “innocent” for so long.
Reports have emerged suggesting that senior officials in the Biden administration are considering granting a preemptive pardon to retired General Mark Milley. The pardon would potentially shield the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from any future legal consequences, particularly from President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, which could target Milley for his controversial actions during the final months of the Trump presidency.
Milley, 66, served as the nation’s top military officer during much of Trump’s first term. He faced significant scrutiny after it was revealed by journalist Bob Woodward that he had secretly communicated with a high-ranking Chinese official. These phone calls, made in the aftermath of the 2020 election and after the January 6 Capitol riot, have drawn sharp criticism, particularly from Republican lawmakers. Milley’s defenders claim that his intention was to ease tensions with China, which was reportedly concerned about a potential U.S. military action.
In testimony before Congress in September 2021, Milley confessed that he had spoken to General Li Zuocheng of the Liberation Army to warn him that the United States would not respond with an attack. He argued that the calls were necessary to avoid any miscalculations during a volatile period. However, this explanation did little to silence critics. Florida Senator Marco Rubio called for Milley’s dismissal, accusing him of undermining the authority of the sitting Commander in Chief.
Former President Trump, who has been vocal in his condemnation of Milley, went further, accusing the general of committing a “treasonous act” and suggesting that such actions would have once warranted the death penalty. Milley, for his part, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that his actions were in the interest of national security and diplomacy.
The potential pardon is part of a broader list of high-profile individuals reportedly under consideration for clemency by the Biden White House, including former representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Schiff, as well as Dr. Anthony Fauci. The move raises questions about whether the Biden administration is attempting to preemptively protect these figures from investigations or legal challenges after Biden leaves office. While the White House has not confirmed whether President Biden is involved in these discussions, the timing and nature of the deliberations have sparked considerable debate, particularly among Republicans who view Milley’s actions as an overstep of military authority.