dr. Anthony Fauci insists he committed “no crime” after President Biden issued a preventive pardon for his former chief medical adviser.
“I really, really appreciate the action that President Biden took today on my behalf,” Fauci told ABC News’ Washington chief of staff. Jonathan Karl on Monday.
“To be perfectly clear, Jon, I have committed no crime, you know that, and there is no possible basis for any accusations or threats of criminal investigation or prosecution against me,” he continued.
BIDEN PARDONS THE LATE BLACK ACTIVIST MARCUS GARVEY AND 4 OTHERS
On Monday, Biden issued several preemptive pardons to prominent critics of Donald Trump. (Left to right: (Photo by William B. Plowman/NBC via Getty Images), (Photo by Mandel Ngan – Pool/Getty Images), (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images), (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images ))
Fauci also said that he is grateful for the pardon because, he believes, the threat and possibility of politically motivated criminal prosecution “creates immeasurable and unbearable distress” for him and his family.
He made a similar statement shortly after accepting the pardon.
“Let me be absolutely clear: I have committed no crime and there is no possible basis for any accusations or threats of criminal investigation or prosecution against me. The fact is, however, that the mere articulation of these baseless threats and the potential that they will be acted upon , create immeasurable and unbearable hardship for me and my family. For these reasons, I acknowledge and appreciate the action President Biden has taken on my behalf today,” Fauci wrote.
BIDEN CHANGED ALMOST 2,500 SENTENCES IN THE LAST DAYS OF THE PRESIDENCY
President Biden posthumously pardoned black nationalist Marcus Garvey and four others on Sunday, January 19, 2025. (Getty Images)
Biden teased the possibility of issuing preemptive pardons a few weeks ago in an interview with USA Today. Biden’s late-term pardons have proven to be some of his most controversial actions as president, particularly the pardons for his son, Hunter Biden.
Biden’s pardons come just hours before he will leave the White House and President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in again. The pardon also applies to General Mark Milley and a whole host of people involved in the January 6 Select Committee investigation. Fox News Digital reported.
HUNTER BIDEN PARDON: MEDIA DEALS LATEST BLOW TO CREDIBILITY WITH POOR REPORTING OF BROKEN PROMISE
President Biden said he is considering preemptive pardons based on who President-elect Donald Trump nominates for key positions. (Getty Images)
Namely, special counsel Jack Smith, former FBI director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland are not included in the pardon, despite speculation that they could face a backlash from the new administration.
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Anders Hagstrom of Fox News contributed to this report.
