What to Know About Biden’s Preemptive Pardons

The right of preemptive pardons has been upheld as a broad privilege since the time of George Washington.

(Left) Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, on June 3, 2024; (Right) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on July 18, 2023. Chip Somodevilla, Win McNamee/Getty Images

President Joe Biden on his final day in office on Jan. 20 issued several preemptive pardons, including for family members.

He issued pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and those who served on the U.S. House of Representatives committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.