With minutes left in his presidency, Joe Biden issued pardons to his family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pardon applies to James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens, and Francis Biden, the White House announced.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n “I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage their reputations and finances,” Biden said in a statement.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Hours before Donald Trump’s Inauguration ceremony, President Joe Biden\u00a0also granted pardons to several\u00a0public servants, who have faced attacks from the incoming President<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Biden pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and others who some speculated may have faced investigations under the incoming Trump administration on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy,\u201d Biden said. \u201cYet alarmingly, public servants have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the named individuals, the pardon applies to, “Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notably, Special Counsel Jack Smith, former FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland are not included in the pardon, despite speculation that they may face backlash from the incoming administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Milley thanked Biden in a statement on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “My family and I are deeply grateful for the President\u2019s action today,” he wrote. “After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), has been a frequent target of political criticism<\/a> in recent years as the face of the federal government response to the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking with ABC News\u2019 chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, Fauci addressed Biden\u2019s decision, said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n I really truly appreciate the action President Biden has taken today on my behalf. Let me be perfectly clear, Jon, I have committed no crime, you know that, and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n
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