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Joe Biden has preemptively pardoned several people, including the head of the Covid response Anthony Fauci and members of the investigation into the January 6 incidents, to avoid “unwarranted…politically motivated lawsuits”.
Trump, who will be inaugurated later on Monday, has clashed with Dr Fauci during the pandemic and has suggested he would take action against those who tried to claim responsibility for the January 6 Capitol riot.
Biden also granted a preemptive pardon to retired General Mark Milley, who has called Trump a “fascist to the core” and “dangerous.”
The outgoing US president said, “Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment.”
“These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the target of unwarranted and politically motivated accusations,” Biden said in his statement.
He added that pardons “should not be mistaken as an admission” that anyone covered “has done anything wrong.”
Democrats warned the outgoing president against such action. Senator Adam Schiff of California said Biden could set “a precedent” for “every president going forward to issue a broad category of pardons.”
Trump in December agreed to allow the FBI to investigate Republican Liz Cheney for her role in leading the congressional investigation into the January 6 incident.
Mr Fauci – who oversaw the US response to the Covid-19 pandemic – has been frequently criticized by Trump and his political allies.
General Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporter Bob Woodward last year that he feared Trump would be recalled to uniform for “disloyalty” and court-martialled.
According to Woodward, he warned colleagues that Trump was “a walking, talking advertisement for what he’s trying to do.” He noted that Steve Bannon, a key Trump ally, has vowed to “hold him accountable.”
Biden’s pardon covers members of the House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021 incident, as well as their staff and the officers who testified.
Trump will pardon some convicted of crimes related to the insurgency.
“You’re going to see something tomorrow,” Trump said Sunday, referring to the Jan. 6 riots. “I think you’ll be very, very happy.”
On the campaign trail, Trump sometimes railed against “enemies from within,” and he has accepted into his cabinet several people who have vowed to retaliate against his enemies.
However, attorney general pick Pam Bondi said during her confirmation hearing last week there would never be an enemy list and that he would not use the Department of Justice to prosecute anyone for his policies.
