Joe Biden has pre-emptively pardoned America’s Covid chief and a swathe of other Trump critics in an effort to guard against potential “revenge” by the incoming administration.

In a move described as a broad and untested use of power, Mr Biden has used his last hours in office to pardon Liz Cheney, retired General Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol.

The decision by Mr Biden comes after Donald Trump warned of an enemies list filled with those who have crossed him politically or sought to hold him accountable for his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss and his role in the storming of the US Capitol on Jan 6 2021.

Mr Trump has selected Cabinet nominees who have pledged to punish those involved in efforts to investigate him.

“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,” Mr Biden said in a statement.

“Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.”