​​Biden pardons number of officials facing prosecution by Trump

The current US President Joe Biden has "preventively" pardoned a number of officials who could face prosecution by his successor, Donald Trump.

As reported by CNN, in particular, Biden pardoned former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, who called Trump a "fascist", and former director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci.

The preventive pardon also includes members of Congress who served on the committee investigating the attack on the Capitol on 6 January 2021.

The pardon will also apply to one of Trump's most prominent critics, former House member Liz Cheney.

"These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing. Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety and financial security of targeted individuals and their families," Biden said in a statement.

All of those whom Biden pardoned have been harshly criticised by Trump and his allies.

In the statement, Biden also noted that pardons do not mean an admission of guilt.

"The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgement that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offence. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country," he wrote.

Earlier, the media reported on the possibility of a preventive pardon by Biden for a number of officials.

Before that, Biden decided to pardon his son Hunter, who was facing two criminal cases, despite his own promise not to do so.