President Joe Biden has issued pre-emptive pardons to a number of high-profile members of the January 6 committee to protect the group against potential revenge by Donald Trump.
The outgoing President has pardoned a group of members of Congress who served on the committee supporting the investigation into the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Former public health official Anthony Fauci, as well as former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, have been pardoned, covering members of the select committee - even their staff and those who gave testimonies.
As one of Biden's final acts in office, he sought to protect those against "unjustified... politically motivated prosecutions".
As one of Biden's final acts in office, he sought to protect those against "unjustified... politically motivated prosecutions"
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Biden has issued a pre-emptive pardon to another one of Trump's critics, the retired general Mark Milley, who has labelled Trump as "fascist to the core".
In a statement, Joe Biden wrote: "These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing."
"Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety and financial security of targeted individuals and their families."
Ahead of his inauguration later today, Donald Trump has previously claimed that he would launch action against those who attempted to hold him accountable when a swarm of his angry supporters tried to storm the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
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"These public servants have served our nation with honour and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions," the White House statement reads.
"The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgement that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offence."
After Biden's statement, Milley announced that he and his family were "deeply grateful" for the outgoing President's action, speaking to CNN.
"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," Milley said.
After Biden's statement, Milley announced that he and his family were “deeply grateful” for the outgoing President's action
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"I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety."
Trump has already hinted at pardoning some of those who have been convicted of crimes connected to the attack.
"You're going to see something tomorrow," Trump said yesterday to massive crowds of his supporters, referring to the January 6 riots.
"I think you'll be very, very happy."
