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Joe Biden pardoned the head of Covid Anthony Fauci and the members who investigated the violence on January 6 to prevent what he called “unreasonable … political criticism”.
The outgoing President of the United States said: “Our country owes thanks to public servants for their tireless sacrifice.”
Mr Trump, who will be inaugurated on Monday, has regularly clashed with Dr Fauci during the pandemic and said he would take action against those who tried to blame him for the January 6 riots at the Capitol.
Mr Biden also issued an early pardon to Mr Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who last year described Mr Trump as “an opponent to the core”.
Biden’s statement said the pardon “should not be mistaken as an admission” that any of those covered had “done anything wrong”.
Democrats warned the outgoing president against doing so. Adam Schiff, Senator from California, said that Biden could set a “model” for “any president after him when he walks out the door issuing a large group of pardons”.
General Milley, 66, thanked Mr. Biden in his speech and said that he did not want to spend the rest of his life “fighting against those who unjustly want to take revenge for what they think”.
“I don’t want to put my family, friends, and those I served with through distractions, money, and stress,” he said.
Biden’s pardon covers all members of the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 riots, as well as staff members and officers who testified.
Former US Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn said he is “eternal grateful” to Mr Biden, “not only for this unprecedented pardon, but for his leadership and service to this country”.
“Unfortunately, the politics we have has made it necessary [a pardon] some are real,” he said.
“I, like all public servants, was just doing my job and fulfilling my oath.”
Trump in December backed calls for the FBI to investigate fellow Republican Liz Cheney in her role as congressional investigative director.
The incoming president is expected to pardon some of those convicted of violent crimes. “You’re going to see something tomorrow,” Trump said Sunday, referring to the January 6 attacks. “I think you will be very happy.”
On the street, Mr. Trump denounced “enemies from within”, and he has accepted several people who have vowed to take revenge on his enemies to join his cabinet.
However, his choice for attorney general, Pam Bondi, said at a confirmation hearing last week that there would be no list of enemies and that they cannot use the Ministry of Justice to fight against anyone based on their politics.
