President Donald Trump ended the taxpayer-funded security detail for Dr. Anthony Fauci, who had received threats during the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) had requested the security in 2020. This move followed Trump’s previous revocation of security clearances for 51 intelligence officials who falsely claimed Hunter Biden’s laptop showed signs of a Russian operation.
Meanwhile, in a series of last-minute pardons, President Joe Biden granted clemency to several individuals, including Dr. Fauci and former Rep. Liz Cheney. However, pardons do not protect recipients from testifying under oath, and legal experts noted that any lies under oath could still lead to consequences. Federal litigation attorney Jesse Binnall emphasized that Biden’s pardons wouldn’t shield them from congressional subpoenas.
Biden’s pardons, including those for General Mark Milley and the Jan. 6 committee members, were met with criticism from Trump, who questioned their fairness and the motivations behind the pardons.