The pardon also covers all politicians who served on the congressional select committee that investigated the January 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters, and police officers who testified before it.

Biden praised public servants as the “lifeblood of our democracy.”

‘Unjustified and politically motivated’

“Rather than accept accountability, those who perpetrated the January 6th attack have taken every opportunity to undermine and intimidate those who participated in the Select Committee in an attempt to rewrite history, erase the stain of January 6th for partisan gain and seek revenge, including by threatening criminal prosecutions.”

Milley was quoted in the book War by Bob Woodward, which was published last month, calling Trump “fascist to the core”.

Anthony Fauci welcomed the pardon but stressed “I have committed no crime.” Source: Getty / Getty

‘Worst kind of partisan politics’

He pardoned his siblings — James Biden, Frank Biden and Valerie Biden Owens — as well as their spouses, John Owens and Sara Biden.

But Biden has used the power in the broadest and most untested way possible — laying the groundwork for an even more expansive use of pardons by Trump and future presidents.

“These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing,” Biden said, adding that “Even when individuals have done nothing wrong – and in fact have done the right thing – and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances.”