Biden chose a date nearly six years before the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 were identified, adding an unexpected layer of intrigue to the act of clemency.

The decision comes after Trump warned of an enemies list of those who have crossed him politically or sought to hold him accountable for his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss.

Critics say Fauci has tried to cover up the origins of COVID-19, including U.S. funding for coronavirus research in Wuhan.

Dr. Anthony Fauci expressed gratitude to President Joe Biden for the preemptive pardon extended to him but emphasized that he has done nothing wrong. Biden’s pardons, issued on Monday, covered not just Fauci,

With just hours left of his presidency, Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley and members of the House Jan. 6 committee.

Preemptive pardons, like the ones Joe Biden issued in his final hours as president, have been used by Donald Trump, Jimmy Carter and other presidents.

The statement stressed that the 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.

It was just moments before Joe Biden's presidential term ended when he announced pardons for his siblings and their spouses.

Former President Joe Biden said he was “concerned” about Donald Trump giving preemptive pardons of family members, according to a resurfaced interview from 2020.

Joe Biden’s preemptive pardons are a valid use of pardon power. But they break new ground as a shield for those the president seeks to protect, scholars say.

Before leaving office this week, now-former President Biden issued preemptive pardons to potential targets of the new Trump administration, including Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley and lawmakers who served on the House Jan.