President Joe Biden pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday in an unusual exercise of the power of the executive office in the final hours of his term.
Biden said the preemptive action was to prevent potential “retaliation” by the incoming Trump administration. Fauci has never been charged with a crime. However, the “complete and unconditional” pardon covers a period extending back to January 1, 2014.
Fauci served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health for nearly 40 years, including during President Donald Trump’s first term, and was Biden’s chief medical adviser until his retirement in 2022. served as
Fauci helped coordinate the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite the accomplishments my colleagues and I have achieved over a long career in public service, I have been subject to the threat of politically motivated investigations and prosecutions. These threats are completely unfounded. Let me tell you this: I did not commit a crime,” Fauci said in a statement.
Noting that he has served under presidents of both parties, from President Ronald Reagan to President Biden, he said, “Throughout my career, I have been motivated by one simple goal: the health and well-being of humanity. “It’s about improving,” he added.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) accused Fauci of mishandling the pandemic and lying to Congress, particularly about NIH-funded research on the virus’s origins at a lab in Wuhan, China. He accused Fauci of covering up the connection. Fauci has denied the allegations, but he and Paul have clashed during Fauci’s multiple appearances before Senate committees.
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With Republicans in the Senate, Paul was recently appointed chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He said the committee will continue investigating Fauci and other aspects of the coronavirus.
“If there was ever any doubt as to who is to blame for the coronavirus pandemic, Biden’s pardon for Fauci seals the deal forever.As chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I will not rest until the full extent of the cover-up is revealed.” “Mr. Fauci’s pardon will only serve as a catalyst to pierce the veil of deception,” Paul wrote to X.
Biden also pre-emptively pardoned retired Gen. Mark Milley. Members of the House committee that investigated the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Minutes before Donald Trump was sworn in to return to the White House, Biden also pre-emptively pardoned the brothers and their spouses.
“The issuance of these pardons should not be misconstrued as an admission that an individual has engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance of a pardon be misconstrued as an admission of guilt of any crime,” Biden said in a statement. It shouldn’t be done.”
Democrat Biden used his power in the broadest and most untested way possible, pardoning people who had not even been investigated. His decision lays the groundwork for even broader use of pardons by future presidents.
This report used information from The Associated Press and Rick Mayer of Florida Health News.
