In his final days in office, President Joe Biden issued pardons to several high-profile figures, including Rep. Liz Cheney, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Gen. Mark Milley. The move appears aimed at shielding them from potential political retaliation by President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration.

Cheney and Fauci, both central to the January 6th investigation and pandemic response, are now protected from certain federal charges—but not from subpoenas, testimony, or future crimes. Legal experts note that pardons remove Fifth Amendment protections, meaning they must testify and can still face perjury charges. Critics, including Trump ally Jesse Binnall and retired officer Kurt Schlichter, questioned the fairness of D.C. legal venues and urged relocation of proceedings. The pardons sparked political backlash, with Trump calling Cheney a “disaster.” Former legislator Josh Barnett emphasized that pardons don’t cover future offenses. While Biden’s actions may have aimed to shield allies, they also raise complex legal and political challenges about clemency and accountability.