In a final round of pardons aimed at protecting allies from potential retaliation by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden granted clemency to a select group, including former Wyoming Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Biden’s team said the pardons were meant to shield these individuals from potential vengeance from Trump or his incoming administration.
However, legal experts quickly pointed out that the pardons wouldn’t protect Cheney or Fauci from testifying under oath if subpoenaed. Federal litigation attorney Jesse Binnall emphasized that the pardons wouldn’t shield them from legal consequences if they lie while testifying, especially if subpoenaed by a GOP-controlled Congress. He noted that the pardons could, in fact, be seen as “great news” for those looking to see either individual prosecuted.
