Dr. Anthony Fauci has been pardonned by Joe Biden. (AP: Jose Luis Magana, File)
In short:
Joe Biden has pardoned Dr Anthony Fauci, retired general Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
The decision by Biden comes after Donald Trump warned of an enemies list filled with those who have crossed him politically.
What's next?
President Biden has promised a smooth transition to the next administration.
President Joe Biden has pardoned Dr Anthony Fauci in his final hours to guard against potential "revenge" by the incoming Trump administration.
He also pardoned retired General Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
"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," Mr Biden said in a statement.
"Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country."
The decision by Biden comes after Donald Trump warned of an enemies list filled with those who have crossed him politically.
His list also included he thought would hold him accountable for his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss and his role in the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
"These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing," Mr Biden said.
"Even when individuals have done nothing wrong — and in fact have done the right thing — and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances."
Retired general Mark Milley was also pardoned. (AP: Mark Schiefelbein)
Doctor target of hatred
Dr Fauci was director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health for nearly 40 years and was Biden's chief medical advisor until his retirement in 2022.
He helped coordinate the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and refused to back Trump's unfounded claims about the disease.
The doctor has become a target of intense hatred and vitriol from people on the right, who blame him for mask mandates and other policies they believe infringed on their rights.
Mark Milley, who is the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff called Trump a fascist and detailed Trump's conduct around the January 6 insurrection.
Mr Biden is also extending pardons to members and staff of the January 6 committee, including Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, both Republicans, as well as the US Capitol and DC Metropolitan police officers who testified before the committee.
President Biden has promised a smooth transition to the next administration.
AP
