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On Monday, Biden also issued preemptive pardons to several individuals, including Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, members of his own family, and individuals involved in the House committee’s investigation of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Concerns about Trump using the Justice Department for political retaliation have grown, fueled by his repeated criticism of Milley. Trump has accused Milley of betrayal, even suggesting on one occasion that he deserved execution.
Milley, who has not shied away from responding to Trump’s barbs, took a parting shot at him during his farewell speech in September 2023, declaring, “We don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator.”
In a 2024 book by journalist Bob Woodward, Milley was quoted as calling Trump “fascist to the core” and expressing fears that Trump might seek retribution. “No one has ever been as dangerous to this country as Donald Trump,” Milley reportedly said.
Milley’s tension with Trump dates back to his tenure as Joint Chiefs chair. Appointed by Trump in 2019, Milley often clashed with the president. In 2020, during protests over racial justice, Milley opposed Trump’s suggestion to deploy active-duty troops against demonstrators, resulting in a heated exchange. Milley also later apologized for accompanying Trump during a photo-op at Lafayette Square.
Milley faced further backlash when reports surfaced that he reassured Chinese officials during Trump’s final days in office that the U.S. posed no threat to China. Trump responded by calling Milley “treasonous” and suggesting he deserved execution.
These disputes culminated in Milley being a central figure in the classified documents case pursued by the Justice Department before Trump’s November election victory.
In his inaugural address, Trump vowed to end the “weaponization” of the Justice Department, pledging that its power would no longer be used for political vendettas. He directly criticized Biden’s decision to pardon Milley, questioning the move during a speech in Emancipation Hall.
“What’s going on? Why are we helping someone like Milley?” Trump asked. “It’s terrible, what he said and did.”
The pardon protects Milley from prosecution for any offenses under U.S. law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice between January 1, 2014, and January 20, 2025, covering his time as Army chief of staff and Joint Chiefs chair.
Biden emphasized in a statement that the pardons should not imply wrongdoing or guilt on the part of those receiving them. “Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country,” he said.
Specifically, Biden praised Milley’s 40 years of service, highlighting his leadership in addressing global security threats and strengthening U.S. alliances.
Milley, who joined Georgetown and Princeton University last year, expressed gratitude for the pardon. “After 43 years of faithful service to our Nation, I do not wish to spend my remaining years defending against baseless accusations,” Milley said in a statement to USA Today.
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