This is clearly an abuse of power. Glad Biden is gone once and for all!
In a controversial move, President Joe Biden issued a series of pardons on Monday, granting clemency to several individuals, including General Mark Milley, members of the January 6th Select Committee, and others involved in the investigation into the Capitol riots. The pardons come just hours before Biden is set to leave office, paving the way for President-elect Donald Trump to take the oath once again.
Among the recipients of the pardon are individuals who might have faced investigation under a potential Trump administration, particularly those connected to the January 6th hearings. The pardons extend not only to the committee members but also to the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified during the hearings. However, high-profile figures like Special Counsel Jack Smith, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Attorney General Merrick Garland were not included, despite some speculation that they might be targeted by a future Trump administration.
One of the more notable figures pardoned was Dr. Anthony Fauci, who expressed relief at the decision. In a statement, Fauci claimed that he had been subjected to “politically motivated threats of investigation and prosecution” and thanked Biden for intervening on his behalf. Similarly, General Milley issued a statement, expressing gratitude for the pardon, citing his desire to avoid distractions and legal battles after serving his country for over four decades.
Republicans, however, were quick to criticize the pardons. Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt blasted Biden, accusing him of eroding constitutional norms in his final days in office. Schmitt called Biden one of the worst presidents in American history, particularly criticizing his actions as a caretaker between two Trump administrations.
The timing of the pardons is yet another chapter in the contentious legacy of Biden’s presidency, with his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, also sparking backlash. Despite promising not to intervene in his son’s legal matters, Biden issued a blanket pardon for Hunter after learning that he had paid back his taxes. While some defended the action as a protective move by a father, many critics saw it as an example of political expediency and a blow to the credibility of the presidency.
These pardons, particularly at the tail end of Biden’s presidency, serve as a reminder of the divisive political climate that has characterized his time in office. With President Trump poised for a second term, the pardons are likely to fuel further debate on the role of executive power, the integrity of investigations, and the continued polarization of the American political landscape.