In the final moments of his presidency, Joe Biden issued a series of pre-emptive pardons to several family members and key public figures, including his brothers James, Francis, and Frank Biden, as well as his sister Valerie Biden Owens. The pardons, which Biden described as a shield against politically motivated attacks, were framed as a measure to protect his family from ongoing scrutiny, not an admission of any criminal wrongdoing.
Biden also extended pardons to Covid-19 response chief Dr. Anthony Fauci and members of the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot, aiming to prevent what he called “unjustified, politically motivated prosecutions.” In his statement, the outgoing president expressed gratitude for their dedicated service, calling them “public servants who have earned our nation’s thanks.”
This decision comes after years of political clashes, particularly between Biden’s administration and former President Donald Trump, who often accused Biden and his family of corruption. Trump had launched an investigation into the Biden family’s overseas business dealings in 2023, though no criminal activity was found. Trump, who regularly clashed with Dr. Fauci during the pandemic, has also hinted at taking action against those who attempted to hold him accountable for the January 6 riot and other controversies.
“My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me,” Biden said in a statement. “Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end.”
In addition to pardoning his siblings, Biden granted clemency to his sister-in-law Sara Jones Biden and his brother-in-law John Owens. He had previously issued a pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing on criminal charges.
In another notable move, Biden commuted the life sentence of Leonard Peltier, an indigenous activist convicted in the 1975 murder of two FBI agents. Peltier will serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
As Biden prepared to leave the White House, a Trump spokesperson criticized the pardons, calling them “the greatest attack on America’s justice system in history.” Taylor Budowich, Trump’s incoming deputy chief of staff, claimed Biden had “unilaterally shielded a group of political cronies from the scales of justice,” warning it marked a “dangerous erosion of American norms.”
Biden’s actions were also met with caution from some Democrats, including Senator Adam Schiff, who warned that such pre-emptive pardons could set a troubling precedent for future presidents.
In a final statement, Biden emphasized that the pardons should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt. He said they were meant to protect those targeted by politically motivated attacks, ensuring their ability to move forward without legal obstacles.
