Quotes
My family and I are deeply grateful for the President’s action today,
he wrote
Biden pardoned Fauci. He says it’s not an admission of guilt. But if Fauci were innocent, no pardon would be needed. The evidence suggests Fauci helped create the Covid pandemic, and then covered it up. The investigation must go forward. All Covid & Fauci Files must be released,
Michael Shellenberger, the CBR Chair of Politics, Censorship and Free Speech at the University of Austin, wrote on social media
Joe Biden using his last day in office to pardon Liz Cheney, among others, is the perfect expression of the American political realignment and the rotted soul of the Democratic Party,
journalist Glenn Greenwald wroteNo one is above the law except people who get blanket, preemptive pardons,
commentator Mary Kathrine Ham wroteFrom the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,
the president said in a December statement about his son's pardon
The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense,
Biden said in a White House statement
If President Biden wanted to talk to me about that, I would talk to him about it. But I don't think I should be giving public advice on the pardon power. I think it's too – it's a very personal thing, but it is – I hope he won't do that,
Clinton said of preemptive pardons on "The View."It concerns me in terms of what kind of precedent it sets and how the rest of the world looks (at) us as a nation of laws and justice,
Biden said in an interview with CNN in December 2020.One of Biden’s greatest abuses of power was the forcing of mRNA shots by executive fiat (which Florida successfully blocked). Now, on his way out the door, Biden pardons the chief henchman of that and so many other abuses. The swamp protects its own,
said DeSantis, a Republican, on Monday
When we talk about a preemptive pardon, where does it start and where does it stop?"
Dick Durbin also warned against such pardons in an interview on CNN last month, remarkingMy family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me – the worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end,
Biden said in a statement pardoning his familyI am not a fan of these [preemptive pardons],
she said.jpg)
My pronouns are still prosecute/Fauci.
Elon Musk, who was instrumental in getting Trump elected and has sway in the administration, has tweeted
Certain gain-of-function studies with the potential to enhance the pathogenicity or transmissibility of potential pandemic pathogens (PPPs) have raised biosafety and biosecurity concerns, including the potential dual use risks associated with the misuse of the information or products resulting from such research.
At the same time, the NIH's own definition of gain of function reads as follows
Dr. Fauci flat-out lied to Congress
While incoming President Trump has not stated specifically which charges he would bring against Dr Fauci, Sen Ted Cruz of Texas said in 2022Many are guilty of major crimes.
In the aftermath of Biden’s sweeping pardons, Trump fumed at NBC News’ Kristen WelkerLet me be perfectly clear: I have committed no crime and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me. The fact is, however, that the mere articulation of these baseless threats, and the potential that they will be acted upon, create immeasurable and intolerable distress for me and my family. For these reasons, I acknowledge and appreciate the action that President Biden has taken today on my behalf,
Fauci wrote
The bottom line is this is unfathomable,
Harris said on Fox Business’s Mornings with Maria Bartiromo, guest-hosted by Cheryl Casone
After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights. I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety,
Milley said
As someone who strongly advocated for these pardons, I applaud President Biden for making this bold and righteous decision. Trump has repeatedly abused power to serve his own interests and threatened to punish his political opponents,
Boyle said in a statement