A group of Republican attorneys general are reportedly seeking to circumvent the last-minute preemptive pardon former President Joe Biden gave to Dr. Anthony Fauci, seeking to investigate the former director of the National Institute of Health (NIH) at the state level. Following his leadership in the COVID-19 pandemic, Fauci became a polarizing figure.
The coalition of attorneys general is being led by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who recently wrote a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) last week asking to be informed of any new discoveries pertaining to Fauci. Wilson requested to be informed of “any further findings or direct evidence that suggests there may have been any violation of state laws.”
The letter explained that while Fauci may have been pardoned at the federal level, he could still be held accountable at the state level. “Certainly, one potential tool at our disposal is the referral of any pertinent findings to state officials. As you are aware, a pardon by former President Biden does not extend to preclude state-level investigations or legal proceedings,” the note said.
The letter continued, explaining the state leaders’ commitment to upholding the law: “As state Attorneys General, we possess the authority to address violations of state law or breaches of public trust. We are fully committed to investigating any malfeasance that may have occurred to the fullest extent of our authority and are prepared to collaborate with you in further efforts.”
The American Tribune reported on the pardons from former President Biden in the final hours of his presidency on Inauguration Day. Just before stepping out of office, Biden pardoned Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, members of his family, the J6 Committee, and other political allies. The move demonstrates a fear among Democrats that Trump will weaponize his political power against them.
Biden said, “In certain cases, some have even been threatened with criminal prosecutions, including General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, and the members and staff of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions.”
Speaking about Fauci, he said, “For more than half a century, Dr. Fauci served our country. He saved countless lives by managing the government’s response to pressing health crises, including HIV/AIDS, as well as the Ebola and Zika viruses, During his tenure as my Chief Medical Advisor, he helped the country tackle a once-in-a-century pandemic. The United States is safer and healthier because of him.”
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Concluding, Biden said, “That is why I am exercising my authority under the Constitution to pardon General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee. 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. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.”
Watch RFK Jr. vow “radical transparency” to expose Fauci emails:
Featured image credit: The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anthony_Fauci_2020.jpg