In a last-minute move, President Joe Biden granted clemency to several individuals, including former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci, likely in an attempt to shield them from potential actions by President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. While these pardons shield them from criminal liability, legal experts pointed out that they would not protect the individuals from having to testify under oath if subpoenaed, particularly in relation to any potential legal proceedings that might arise.

Federal litigation attorney Jesse Binnall emphasized that the pardons wouldn’t prevent Cheney and Fauci from facing consequences if they were to lie under oath during testimony. There has been significant debate about the fairness of pardons granted in Washington, D.C., with some suggesting that legal proceedings involving political figures should be moved to other jurisdictions to ensure impartiality.

President Trump criticized Biden’s pardons, particularly those for Cheney and Gen. Mark Milley, framing them as politically motivated and asserting that such decisions undermined accountability. The situation adds to the ongoing tension between the outgoing and incoming administrations over clemency and legal accountability.