Former President Joe Biden's last act as president was to pardon several family members, including his brother, James B. Biden; sister-in-law, Sara Jones Biden; sister, Valerie Biden Owens; brother-in-law, John T. Owens; and brother, Francis W. Biden. This announcement was made just minutes before Donald Trump’s inauguration. Biden clarified that the pardons were not an admission of guilt or acknowledgment of any wrongdoing.
This move follows a previous pardon granted to his son, Hunter Biden, for federal tax and gun crimes. Biden claimed his family faced relentless attacks driven by partisan politics, and expressed concerns that these pressures would continue under the Trump administration.
In his inaugural speech, Trump promised to stop the perceived misuse of the Justice Department against political opponents, referencing his own legal battles and asserting he would restore fair justice. He criticized the pardons given to members of the January 6 Select Committee, questioning their merit and alleging misconduct during their investigations. Trump also condemned the pardon of General Mark Milley, indicating their fraught relationship after Milley's testimony against Trump.
Biden's pardons were part of a broader set of last-minute reprieves he issued on his final day in office, which also included pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci and others involved in the January 6 events.
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