On Monday, former President Donald Trump publicly criticized former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney after she was included in a series of last-minute pardons issued by President Joe Biden just before leaving office.
Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office as he signed a series of executive orders, Trump shifted attention to Biden’s pardons, which included figures tied to the January 6th congressional investigation such as former NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley, and members of the now-defunct House Select Committee.
“Why are we helping Liz Cheney?” Trump said, expressing frustration over what he saw as political opponents receiving special treatment. “Liz Cheney is a disaster,” he added, criticizing her role in the House investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot.
Several Republican lawmakers echoed Trump’s sentiment, arguing that Biden’s pardons raise questions about accountability. Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) suggested the pardons implied wrongdoing. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) described the move as damaging to Biden’s legacy, calling it indicative of “pay-to-play politics.” Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) and Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) also condemned the pardons, saying they validated concerns raised in the GOP’s counter-investigation into the January 6 probe.
In contrast, President Biden defended his decision in a written statement. He said the pardons were necessary to protect public servants from politically motivated legal threats. “These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction,” Biden wrote, stressing that figures like Fauci, Milley, and the January 6 Committee members faced unjustified political attacks.
Biden added that while he believes in the rule of law, he viewed these circumstances as exceptional. He warned that politically driven investigations—even if unfounded—can cause lasting personal and financial damage to public servants and their families.
The pardons and subsequent reactions underscore the sharp political divide that continues to surround the events of January 6 and their aftermath.
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