President Joe Biden has issued pre-emptive pardons to a number of high-profile members of the January 6 committee to protect the group against potential revenge by Donald Trump.

The outgoing President has pardoned a group of members of Congress who served on the committee supporting the investigation into the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Former public health official Anthony Fauci, as well as former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, have been pardoned.

As one of Biden's final acts in office, he sought to protect those against "unjustified... politically motivated prosecutions".

President Joe Biden has issued pardons to a number of high-profile members of the January 6 committee

In a statement, Joe Biden wrote: "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."