In a bold and unprecedented move, President Joe Biden granted preemptive pardons to several high-profile critics of President-elect Donald Trump, as well as members of his own family, just hours before leaving office. The decision, announced Monday, aims to protect these individuals from potential legal retaliation by the incoming administration. Among those pardoned were General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and several members of Congress who investigated the January 6 Capitol attack. Biden also extended clemency to his siblings—James, Frank, and Valerie Biden—and their spouses. The move has sparked widespread debate, with critics calling it an overreach of presidential power. Biden defended his decision, stating that his family and others had faced relentless attacks and threats driven by partisan motives. “These baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on lives, safety, and financial security,” he said in a statement. He emphasized that the pardons were not an admission of guilt but a necessary step to shield individuals from unjust scrutiny. The timing of the pardons, issued minutes before Trump’s inauguration, underscores the tense political climate. Biden’s team reportedly acted out of concern that Trump would target his adversaries with legal actions. “I cannot in good conscience do nothing,” Biden wrote, highlighting the exceptional nature of the situation. The pardons also included Leonard Peltier, an Indigenous activist convicted in the 1975 killing of two FBI agents. Peltier, now 80, will serve the remainder of his sentence at home. Reactions to the pardons have been mixed. While some, like former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, expressed gratitude, others criticized the move as an erosion of justice. Taylor Budowich, a Trump spokesperson, called it “the greatest attack on America’s justice system in history.” Legal experts have raised concerns about the implications of such sweeping preemptive pardons, suggesting they could set a troubling precedent. Meanwhile, recipients like Fauci and Milley have thanked Biden for the protection, even as they maintain their innocence. As Biden’s presidency came to a close, this final act has left a lasting mark on the political landscape, raising questions about the balance of power and the future of presidential pardons.