In the final moments of his presidency, President Joe Biden issued pardons to several close family members on Monday, citing what he described as politically motivated attacks against them.
“My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me — the worst kind of partisan politics,” Biden stated. “Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end.”
The preemptive pardons were issued to:
- James B. Biden: The president’s younger brother.
- Sara Jones Biden: James Biden’s wife.
- Valerie Biden Owens: Biden’s younger sister.
- John T. Owens: Valerie’s husband.
- Francis W. Biden: Another younger brother of the president.
Biden emphasized that the pardons were not an acknowledgment of wrongdoing by his family members. “The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that they engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense,” he stated.
Biden made the announcement while attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in the Capitol Rotunda.
“I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics,” Biden said. “But baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage their reputations and finances.”
This follows a controversial pardon issued by Biden in December for his son, Hunter Biden, over charges related to tax evasion and federal gun violations. The decision to pardon Hunter, after previously stating he would not, drew significant criticism.
James Biden, in particular, has been a focus of Republican scrutiny. Congressional Republicans have urged the incoming Justice Department to pursue charges against James Biden, alleging that he provided false testimony during the impeachment inquiry into President Biden and his family.
The pardons underscore the ongoing partisan tensions and the president’s efforts to shield his family from the fallout of politically charged investigations.