Former President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to several people, including members of his family, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and retired Gen. Mark Milley, among others|NIAID|CC BY 2.0

In an unprecedented move, hours before leaving the White House yesterday, former President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to several people from his family and members of Congress President Trump had threatened with prosecution.

Those among the pardoned are Biden’s siblings and their spouses, former White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, former Republican lawmaker Liz Cheney, and the House Jan. 6 Committee personnel.

Biden said the actions were needed because of threats of “unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions” by the incoming administration and should not be seen as an acknowledgment of any wrongdoing by any individual.