Joe Biden Grants Pardons to Multiple Family Members
Biden disclosed the pardons in his final set of clemency decisions right before Donald Trump was inaugurated.
TroibNews 
As one of his final acts in office, President Joe Biden granted pardons to several members of his family.
The White House revealed the pardons in a final series of clemency decisions just moments before Donald Trump was set to take the oath of office, explaining that they were aimed at preventing “baseless and politically motivated investigations” against his family.
Previously, in December, Biden had issued a comprehensive pardon for his son Hunter, who was facing sentencing in two criminal cases. The pardons for other family members, signed on Sunday, were similarly expansive, addressing all of their “nonviolent” actions dating back to 2014.
This pardon included Biden’s siblings—James Biden, Francis Biden, and Valerie Biden Owens—as well as his brother-in-law John Owens and sister-in-law Sara Jones Biden. It stands out as one of the most unique and personal clemency actions taken by an outgoing president. Biden cited concerns that his family could be targeted by the Trump administration and clarified that their acceptance should not be “misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense.”
These pardons stand in contrast to Biden’s 2020 remarks, in which he criticized Trump amid unfounded reports that Trump might consider “preemptive” pardons for family and allies at the end of his first term.
“Well, it concerns me in terms of what kind of precedent it sets and how the rest of the world looks at us as a nation of laws and justice,” Biden stated in a CNN interview shortly after his victory in the 2020 election. “Now in terms of the pardons, you’re not going to see in our administration that kind of approach to pardons.”
Republicans were quick to denounce the Biden family pardons, labeling them a shocking abuse intended to obscure evidence of influence peddling and corruption.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
The White House revealed the pardons in a final series of clemency decisions just moments before Donald Trump was set to take the oath of office, explaining that they were aimed at preventing “baseless and politically motivated investigations” against his family.
Previously, in December, Biden had issued a comprehensive pardon for his son Hunter, who was facing sentencing in two criminal cases. The pardons for other family members, signed on Sunday, were similarly expansive, addressing all of their “nonviolent” actions dating back to 2014.
This pardon included Biden’s siblings—James Biden, Francis Biden, and Valerie Biden Owens—as well as his brother-in-law John Owens and sister-in-law Sara Jones Biden. It stands out as one of the most unique and personal clemency actions taken by an outgoing president. Biden cited concerns that his family could be targeted by the Trump administration and clarified that their acceptance should not be “misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense.”
These pardons stand in contrast to Biden’s 2020 remarks, in which he criticized Trump amid unfounded reports that Trump might consider “preemptive” pardons for family and allies at the end of his first term.
“Well, it concerns me in terms of what kind of precedent it sets and how the rest of the world looks at us as a nation of laws and justice,” Biden stated in a CNN interview shortly after his victory in the 2020 election. “Now in terms of the pardons, you’re not going to see in our administration that kind of approach to pardons.”
Republicans were quick to denounce the Biden family pardons, labeling them a shocking abuse intended to obscure evidence of influence peddling and corruption.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
