GOP lawmakers vow to probe Biden's last-minute pardons: 'Summon them before Congress'

President Biden's last-minute decision to pardon several of his allies, which was made just hours before he handed over power to the new president, has caused Republican lawmakers to react angrily.

"According to Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, the implication is that they needed the pardons. Therefore, we should call them all before Congress and demand the truth. If they refuse or lie, we should test the constitutional 'reach' of these pardons with regard to their future actions."

Biden declared on Monday that he was granting preemptive pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and staff of the disbanded House select committee on the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

With his new leadership role as chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has vowed to probe Fauci further. Fauci has already faced scrutiny and criticism from Paul, who accused him of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic, among other government officials. Despite this, Fauci has maintained that his actions were solely based on scientific guidance.

"Fauci's pardon by Biden has put an end to any doubt about who is responsible for the COVID pandemic. As the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I will not stop until the full truth of the coverup is revealed," Paul wrote on X. "Fauci's pardon will only serve to expose the deception."

Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., stated in his own words: "Joe Biden granted preemptive pardons to Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci, and members of the sham J6 Committee. In its final moments, the most corrupt administration in American history is attempting to cover up the Democrats' criminal activity."

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Western Caucus, stated that sneaking a bill through in the final hours of a presidency only makes those involved look more guilty. He questioned what the president was so desperate to hide and emphasized that it was clear to any honest observer that there was plenty to investigate.

Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, commended the decision and accused Trump of misusing his authority.

"Boyle commended President Biden for issuing pardons to those who defended democracy and kept the public safe, stating that Trump had repeatedly abused power and threatened political opponents."

Trump has previously threatened retribution against his critics when he returned to the White House, but he has also clarified that he believed his second term would be sufficient retribution.

Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., who heads a subcommittee probing the Jan. 6 committee, recommended criminal charges against the former panel's vice chair, ex-Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., in a 128-page report. Cheney countered that the report "deliberately ignores the truth and the Select Committee's substantial body of evidence, and instead fabricates false accusations in an attempt to conceal what Donald Trump did."

The president has granted pardons to political allies, including Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn, despite their prior charges by the DOJ.

Preemptive pardons have been done before, as seen in the case of President Gerald Ford pardoning Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal.

Despite the accomplishments of his long career in public service, Fauci has been subject to politically motivated threats of investigation and prosecution. There is no basis for these threats, and Fauci has committed no crime. The mere articulation of these baseless threats creates distress for him and his family. For this reason, Fauci appreciates President Biden's action on his behalf.

Milley expressed gratitude for Biden's decision.

"I have devoted forty-three years to serving our country in uniform, defending and upholding the Constitution. However, I do not wish to spend my remaining time fighting those who seek revenge for perceived wrongs. I do not want to put my loved ones and fellow soldiers through the distraction, expense, and anxiety that would result from such a conflict. It has been an honor to serve our great nation for over four decades, and I will remain committed to my country and Constitution until my final breath."

The Jan. 6 committee members currently serving in Congress were contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital for comment.

Planet Chronicle' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report