In a round of last-minute pardons aimed at shielding allies from potential
reprisals by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden
granted clemency to a select group of individuals—but the move is not without complications for the recipients.
Former Wyoming Republican congresswoman and Jan. 6 Committee co-chair Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony
Fauci were among the limited list of pardon recipients, a gesture Biden’s aides
say was intended to preempt acts of vengeance by Trump or his incoming administration.
However, legal experts were quick to point out that the pardons would not exempt
either individual from having to testify under oath if subpoenaed.
Federal litigation attorney Jesse Binnall pointed out that Biden’s pardons do not
shield Cheney Fauci from consequences if they lie under oath, should the GOP-controlled
Congress subpoena them to testify. In his words, the pardons could be “great news” for anyone seeking to see the two prosecuted.
