Biden pardons Dr. Anthony Fauci and General Milley committee members on January 6

President Joe Biden on Monday pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, members of Congress investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol and others who he said faced “baseless” targeting for political purposes.

The series of preemptive pardons come just hours before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, who has called for some of his political enemies to be jailed.

“These public servants have served our country with honor and distinction and should not be the targets of unjust and politically motivated prosecutions,” Biden said in a press release.

“I believe in the rule of law and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But these are extraordinary circumstances and I cannot in good conscience do nothing,” he said.

The outgoing Democratic president also said he would pardon staff members of the House's Jan. 6 select committee as well as police officers who testified before the committee.

Biden's statement emphasized that a pardon “should not be misconstrued as an admission of any wrongdoing by any individual or an admission of guilt for any crime.”

Fauci leads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is the face of the nation's response to the deadly coronavirus pandemic that began under Trump in early 2020. Milley has served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Trump since 2019.

Both figures eventually became scorned by Trump and his Republican supporters.

Trump and Fauci feuded even before the November 2020 election, with the then-President opposing public health restrictions advocated by Fauci and other experts.

Trump charged Milley with treason in 2023 after reports surfaced that Milley had called Chinese officials in the final days of the Trump administration to reassure them of U.S. political and military stability. Milley defended the call.

“My family and I are deeply grateful for the president's actions today,” Milley said in a statement late Monday morning.

“For forty-three years, I have faithfully served our country, protected and defended the Constitution, and I do not want to spend the remaining time the Lord has given me fighting against those who unjustly seek revenge,” he said.