This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani prepares before a baseball game, Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pedestrians line up to obtain an extra edition of the Sports Nippon newspaper reporting on the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani becoming the first player in major league history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he runs the bases for his solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Washington. The Dodgers won 4-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates after hitting his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. The Dodgers won 7-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after teammates poured drinks on his head after hitting a grand slam during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Will Smith, Tommy Edman, and Max Muncy also scored. The Dodgers won 7-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) gestures after hitting a double to right field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates after hitting a grand slam during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with Teoscar Hernández (37) after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. Miguel Rojas also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates his solo-home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani pulls his glove off as he walks to the dugout during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, steals second base past Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Kevin Newman during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani advances to second on a single by Mookie Betts during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) is caught stealing third by Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) during the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, below, slides into second in an attempt to steal as Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang jumps over him during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The bobblehead for Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is seen prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Fans line up to enter and get a bobblehead of Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is prepped for an interview during the baseball All-Star Game red carpet show, Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts after a pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a pitch from Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Richard Lovelady during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a foul tip during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani dodges a wild pitch by Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a foul ball during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) stands on third base during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani congratulates his dog Decoy after Decoy delivered the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani gestures in the dugout prior to a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, greets Teoscar Hernández in the dugout prior to a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, July 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani interacts with teammates in the dugout before a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, grimaces after hitting a single as he stands on first base during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Friday, May 10, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts during a news conference ahead of a baseball workout at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, March 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani eyes his bat in the dugout before a spring training baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani bats during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, heads to first for a two-run home run as Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Zach Plesac watches during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, second from left, hits a solo home run as Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee, left, watches along with catcher Bo Naylor, right, and home plate umpire Dan Bellino during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
People watch Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani batting on a television live broadcasting a MLB opening game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, at a sports bar in Tokyo, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, center, walks with his wife Mamiko Tanaka, center left, through a terminal during the baseball team's arrival at Incheon International Airport, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Incheon, South Korea, ahead of the team's baseball series against the San Diego Padres. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara drive in to Camelback Ranch for spring training baseball workouts in Phoenix, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
An aerial view shows a mural in progress of Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, created by artist Robert Vargas, in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles Saturday, March 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani signs autographs for fans before a spring training baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Phoenix, Friday, March 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani smiles during a baseball news conference at Dodger Stadium Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
PHOTO COLLECTION: Ohtani's first season with Dodgers
PHOTO COLLECTION: Ohtani's first season with Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, June 21, 2024. Austin Barnes also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, second from left, hits a solo home run as Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee, left, watches along with catcher Bo Naylor, right, and home plate umpire Dan Bellino during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, center, walks with his wife Mamiko Tanaka, center left, through a terminal during the baseball team's arrival at Incheon International Airport, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Incheon, South Korea, ahead of the team's baseball series against the San Diego Padres. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani prepares before a baseball game, Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pedestrians line up to obtain an extra edition of the Sports Nippon newspaper reporting on the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani becoming the first player in major league history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he runs the bases for his solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Washington. The Dodgers won 4-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates after hitting his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. The Dodgers won 7-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after teammates poured drinks on his head after hitting a grand slam during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Will Smith, Tommy Edman, and Max Muncy also scored. The Dodgers won 7-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) gestures after hitting a double to right field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates after hitting a grand slam during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with Teoscar Hernández (37) after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. Miguel Rojas also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates his solo-home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani pulls his glove off as he walks to the dugout during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, steals second base past Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Kevin Newman during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani advances to second on a single by Mookie Betts during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) is caught stealing third by Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) during the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, below, slides into second in an attempt to steal as Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang jumps over him during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The bobblehead for Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is seen prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Fans line up to enter and get a bobblehead of Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is prepped for an interview during the baseball All-Star Game red carpet show, Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts after a pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a pitch from Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Richard Lovelady during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a foul tip during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani dodges a wild pitch by Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a foul ball during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) stands on third base during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani congratulates his dog Decoy after Decoy delivered the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani gestures in the dugout prior to a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, greets Teoscar Hernández in the dugout prior to a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, July 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani interacts with teammates in the dugout before a baseball game against Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, grimaces after hitting a single as he stands on first base during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Friday, May 10, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts during a news conference ahead of a baseball workout at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, March 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani eyes his bat in the dugout before a spring training baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani bats during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, heads to first for a two-run home run as Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Zach Plesac watches during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, second from left, hits a solo home run as Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee, left, watches along with catcher Bo Naylor, right, and home plate umpire Dan Bellino during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
People watch Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani batting on a television live broadcasting a MLB opening game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, at a sports bar in Tokyo, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, center, walks with his wife Mamiko Tanaka, center left, through a terminal during the baseball team's arrival at Incheon International Airport, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Incheon, South Korea, ahead of the team's baseball series against the San Diego Padres. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara drive in to Camelback Ranch for spring training baseball workouts in Phoenix, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
An aerial view shows a mural in progress of Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, created by artist Robert Vargas, in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles Saturday, March 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani signs autographs for fans before a spring training baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Phoenix, Friday, March 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani smiles during a baseball news conference at Dodger Stadium Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
PHOTO COLLECTION: Ohtani's first season with Dodgers
PHOTO COLLECTION: Ohtani's first season with Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, June 21, 2024. Austin Barnes also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, in an extraordinary use of the powers of the presidency in his final hours to guard against potential “revenge” by the incoming Trump administration.
The decision by Biden comes after Donald Trump warned of an enemies list filled with those who have crossed him politically or sought to hold him accountable for his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss and his role in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump has selected Cabinet nominees who backed his election lies and who have pledged to punish those involved in efforts to investigate him.
“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 statement. “Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.”
The pardons, announced with just hours left in Biden's presidency, have been the subject of heated debate for months at the highest levels of the White House. It’s customary for a president to grant clemency at the end of his term, but those acts of mercy are usually offered to Americans who have been convicted of crimes.
Biden, a Democrat, has used the power in the broadest and most untested way possible: to pardon those who have not even been investigated. His decision lays the groundwork for an even more expansive use of pardons by Trump, a Republican, and future presidents.
While the Supreme Court last year ruled that presidents enjoy broad immunity from prosecution for what could be considered official acts, the president's aides and allies enjoy no such shield. There is concern that future presidents could use the promise of a blanket pardon to encourage allies to take actions they might otherwise resist for fear of running afoul of the law.
It’s unclear whether those pardoned by Biden would need to apply for the clemency or accept the president's offer. Acceptance could be seen as a tacit admission of guilt or wrongdoing, validating years of attacks by Trump and his supporters, even though those who have been pardoned have not been formally accused of any crimes.
“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.”
Fauci was director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health for nearly 40 years, including during Trump's term in office, and later served as Biden’s chief medical adviser until his retirement in 2022. He helped coordinate the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and raised Trump's ire when he resisted Trump's untested public health notions. Fauci has since become a target of intense hatred and vitriol from people on the right, who blame him for mask mandates and other policies they believe infringed on their rights, even as hundreds of thousands of people were dying.
“Despite the accomplishments that my colleagues and I achieved over my long career of public service, I have been the subject of politically-motivated threats of investigation and prosecution,” Fauci said in a statement. “There is absolutely no basis for these threats. Let me be perfectly clear: I have committed no crime.”
Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has called Trump a fascist and has detailed Trump’s conduct around the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection. He said he was grateful to Biden for a pardon.
“I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights," he said in a statement. “I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety.”
Biden also extended pardons to members and staff of the Jan. 6 committee that investigated the attack, as well as the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the House committee about their experiences that day, overrun by an angry, violent mob of Trump supporters.
The committee spent 18 months investigating Trump and the insurrection. It was led by Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Rep. Liz Cheney, a Wyoming Republican who later pledged to vote for Democrat Kamala Harris and campaigned with her against Trump. The committee’s final report found that Trump criminally engaged in a “multi-part conspiracy” to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election and failed to act to stop his supporters from attacking the Capitol.
“Rather than accept accountability," Biden said, “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.”
Biden’s statement did not list the dozens of members and staff by name. Some did not know they were to receive pardons until it happened, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
Biden, an institutionalist, has promised a smooth transition to the next administration, inviting Trump to the White House and saying that the nation will be OK, even as he warned during his farewell address of a growing oligarchy. He has spent years warning that Trump’s ascension to the presidency again would be a threat to democracy. His decision to break with political norms was brought on by those concerns.
Biden has set the presidential record for most individual pardons and commutations issued. He also pardoned his son Hunter.
He is not the first to consider such preemptive pardons. Trump aides considered them for Trump and his supporters involved in his failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election that culminated in the violent riot at the Capitol. But Trump’s pardons never materialized before he left office four years ago.
President Gerald Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” in 1974 to his predecessor, Richard Nixon, over the Watergate scandal.
Trump, who takes office at noon, has promised to grant swift clemency to many of those involved in the violent and bloody Jan. 6, 2021, attack, which injured roughly 140 law enforcement officers. “Everybody in this very large arena will be very happy with my decision,” he said at a Sunday rally.
Associated Press Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
FILE - In this June 1, 2020 file photo, President Donald Trump departs the White House to visit outside St. John's Church, in Washington. Walking behind Trump from left are, Attorney General William Barr, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
FILE - A video of Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley is shown as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds a hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
FILE - Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testifies during a hearing at the Capitol in Washington, Sept. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)
FILE - Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, responds to accusations by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., as he testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee about the origin of COVID-19, on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool, File)
FILE - Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, adjusts his glasses during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Nov. 4, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
FILE - Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, prepares to receive his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the National Institutes of Health, Dec. 22, 2020, in Bethesda, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool, File)
FILE - Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, arrives to speak about the coronavirus in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, April 22, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
FILE - President Donald Trump speaks as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, right, listens during a briefing with senior military leaders in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
FILE - Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, listens during opening statements during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Nov. 4, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
File - President Joe Biden speaks at the International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C., Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File )
FILE - U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, left, and Washington Metropolitan Police Department officer Daniel Hodges listen as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
FILE - Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks during the presentation of his book "On Call" at Lincoln Theatre Friday, June 21, 2024, in Washington. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
FILE - Retired Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appears before the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)