That Biden felt it necessary to pre-emptively pardon his family members and political allies belies attempts by Democrats to claim that “democracy” has been affirmed by the peaceful transfer of power to Trump.

By Doina Chiacu, Jeff Mason, Nandita Bose and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Outgoing President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons on Monday for several of his immediate family members and people that incoming President Donald Trump has targeted for retaliation,

Joe Biden pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Separately, Biden commuted the life sentence of Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier.

Retired Gen. Mark Milley has expressed his gratitude to President Joe Biden for issuing him a pardon, saying the move alleviates his concerns over potential "retribution" by the incoming Trump administration.

The commutation will allow Peltier, who has long maintained his innocence in the killing of two FBI agents, to spend his remaining days in home confinement.

A portrait of former top US military officer Mark Milley – a foe of Donald Trump – has been taken down at the Pentagon following the president's inauguration. | TAG24

Retired Gen. Mark Milley says he's grateful to Biden for a pardon so he no longer has to worry about 'retribution.

Joe Biden has issued sweeping pre-emptive pardons for his entire family as well as former Covid adviser Dr Anthony Fauci, retired general Mark Milley and members of the January 6 Committee in a stunning final act.

Democrats and Republicans worry President Joe Biden set a bad precedent after President Donald Trump issued sweeping pardons of Jan. 6 rioters.

Former President Joe Biden granted blanket pardons to five family members in the last hour of his presidency, the final acts of clemency that also included sweeping pardons for members of Congress who investigated Trump’s role in the assault on the Capitol four years ago.

Left-wing activist and convicted double murderer Leonard Peltier will go free from prison thanks to a last-minute commutation from former President Biden.