Hours before leaving the presidency of United States and delegate command to Donald Trump, Joe Biden preventively pardoned members of the committee of the House of Representatives continuing to investigate the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 to protect them from possible retaliation that the incoming president could take against them. The pardon also reached the doctor Anthony Fauci, retired general Mark Milley and some of their relatives.
The then president explained: “These public officials They have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be subject to unjustified persecution and politically motivated.
Regarding the pardons for those close to him, he added: “My family has been the subject of constant attacks and threats, motivated solely by the desire to harm mean example of the worst of partisan politics. “Unfortunately I have no reason to believe that these attacks will end.” The measure affected his three siblings and their partners, James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens and Francis W. Biden.
The now former president made this decision after Trump warned that he was arriving at the White House with a long list of enemies who betrayed him politically or held him responsible for the attacks by his followers on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, months after he did not recognize the electoral defeat.
In this regard, Biden stressed: “The granting of these pardons should not be misinterpreted as a recognition that any person has committed any crime, nor should their acceptance be misinterpreted as an admission of guilt for any crime,” he explained in a statement. . “Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to these public servants for their tireless commitment to our country.”
Joe Biden sets a precedent by granting “preventive” pardons
The preemptive use of pardons for those who were not even investigated lays the groundwork for even more expansive use of this tool by Trump, a Republican, and future presidents.
In fact, before taking office, Trump had already announced that he would quickly pardon many of those involved in the violent and bloody attack on January 6, 2021, in which some 140 police officers were injured. “Everyone in this great hall will be very happy with my decision,” he said at a rally on Sunday.
“These are exceptional circumstances and I cannot, in good conscience, do nothing,” Biden argued, adding that “even when people have done nothing wrong, and in fact have done the right thing, and will eventually be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputation and finances”.
Source: Ambito
