Biden’s Surprising Pardons: Key Figures Stir Political Controversy

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President Biden’s last-minute pardons for Fauci, Milley, and Hunter spark outrage and debate.

Quick Takes

  • Biden pardoned Dr. Fauci, Gen. Milley, and Jan. 6 committee members to shield them from potential future investigations.
  • The pardons were issued in the final hours of Biden’s presidency, raising questions about their necessity and timing.
  • Hunter Biden’s pardon breaks Biden’s promise not to intervene on his son’s behalf, damaging his legacy.
  • Special Counsel Jack Smith, Christopher Wray, and Merrick Garland were notably absent from the pardon list.

Biden’s Controversial Pardons Spark Political Firestorm

In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through Washington, President Joe Biden issued a series of controversial pardons in his final hours as Commander-in-Chief. The list of pardoned individuals includes Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol attack. These pardons, ostensibly aimed at protecting these figures from potential “revenge” by the incoming Trump administration, have ignited a fierce debate about the limits of presidential power and the implications for future administrations.

The decision to issue these pardons has ignited a firestorm of debate, with supporters praising Biden’s efforts to protect public servants and critics decrying the move as an abuse of presidential power. The pardons extend to a wide array of individuals, including Congress members and police officers who were part of the investigation into the Capitol riot, effectively shielding them from potential scrutiny under a new administration.

Fauci and Milley: Controversial Figures at the Center of the Storm

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been a lightning rod for criticism from conservatives throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. His pardon has been met with relief from his supporters but outrage from his detractors. Similarly, retired Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has faced intense scrutiny for his actions during the Trump administration and his subsequent criticisms of the former president.

“I really truly appreciate the action President Biden has taken today on my behalf. I have committed no crime … and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me,” said Fauci.

While Fauci and Milley have expressed gratitude for the pardons, emphasizing their desire to avoid politically motivated investigations, critics see these actions as an admission of guilt or an attempt to cover up potential wrongdoing. The inclusion of Jan. 6 committee members and Capitol police officers who testified about the attack has further fueled the controversy, with some viewing it as a preemptive strike against future investigations into the committee’s work.

Hunter Biden Pardon Raises Eyebrows

Perhaps the most contentious aspect of Biden’s pardon spree is the earlier pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. This decision has been met with widespread criticism, as it appears to break Biden’s previous promise not to intervene on his son’s behalf. The pardon of Hunter Biden, who has been the subject of numerous investigations and controversies, is seen by many as a blatant abuse of presidential power and a serious blow to Biden’s legacy.

“The guy who claimed he would ‘protect norms’ continues to bulldoze them and the Constitution until the bitter end. Biden truly is one of the worst Presidents in American history and will only be remembered as the guy between Trump’s two terms,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt.

The absence of certain figures from the pardon list is also telling. Special Counsel Jack Smith, former FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Attorney General Merrick Garland were notably not included, raising questions about the criteria used to determine who received clemency. This selective approach to pardons has led to speculation about the political calculations behind Biden’s decisions.

Implications for the Future

As the dust settles on Biden’s controversial pardons, the long-term implications of this unprecedented use of presidential clemency are coming into focus. There are growing concerns that future presidents might use pardons to encourage allies to act without fear of legal repercussions, potentially undermining the rule of law

Taylor Budowich, Trump’s incoming deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel, said that Biden’s pardons “will go down as the greatest attack on America’s justice system in history.”

“With the stroke of a pen, he unilaterally shielded a group of political cronies from the scales of justice. This is yet another dangerous and unreversible erosion of American norms,” Budowich posted to X..

These pardons mark a significant departure from traditional uses of presidential clemency and set a precedent that could reshape the political landscape for years to come. As the nation grapples with the fallout from Biden’s final act as president, the debate over the proper use and limits of executive power is sure to intensify, leaving a lasting impact on American democracy.