It appears Dr. Anthony Fauci is not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
That is because the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), told The Hill he will to accept the preemptive pardon President Joe Biden gave on Monday.
Fauci wrote in an email the White House approached him about the pardon and he did not ask for one.
Fauci insisted he did not commit a crime.
“Let me be perfectly clear: I have committed no crime and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me,” Fauci said in a statement. “The fact is, however, that the mere articulation of these baseless threats, and the potential that they will be acted upon, create immeasurable and intolerable distress for me and my family.”
Fauci, who led the country through the COVID-19 pandemic, was criticized by Trump and his cohorts, who spoke out against the vaccination and masking efforts.
Fauci served as an advisor to seven U.S. presidents from both sides of the aisle, beginning with former President Ronald Reagan.
Pardons were also granted to Gen. Mark Milley, members and staff of the House Jan. 6 committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, and police officers who testified before the committee.
Trump was not happy with the pardons.
“It is disgraceful. Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES! DJT” Trump texted NBC’s “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker.
