In a significant move during the closing moments of his presidency, Joe Biden issued pre-emptive pardons to several members of his family, specifically his brothers James, Francis, Frank Biden, and sister Valerie Biden Owens. This last-minute decision came as Donald Trump was making his way to the Capitol rotunda, marking a dramatic conclusion to Biden’s time in office. The pardons are believed to have been motivated by the necessity to protect his family from what Biden described as politically charged attacks.
Biden articulated his rationale in a statement, declaring that these pardons were aimed at safeguarding his relatives from “unjustified… politically motivated prosecutions.” His actions are notable, particularly as they follow an earlier set of pardons bestowed upon prominent figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief architect of the U.S. COVID-19 response, and members of the House panel investigating the January 6 Capitol riots. During this statement, Biden expressed gratitude for the dedication and hard work displayed by these public servants.
The tensions between the Biden family and Donald Trump have been palpable, especially given Trump’s history of conflicts with Dr. Fauci during the pandemic. Trump has also conveyed a desire to hold accountable those responsible for scrutinizing the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot. Throughout his presidency, Trump has frequently leveled unfounded corruption claims against Biden and his family. In 2023, for instance, Republican House members initiated an extensive inquiry into Biden’s business activities abroad, which ultimately failed to uncover any illicit activities.
Biden conveyed his disdain for the continuing onslaught of attacks against his family, stating, “My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me.” Adding to his family’s pardons, Biden also granted pardons to his sister-in-law, Sara Jones Biden, and brother-in-law, John Owens. Previously, he had issued a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing regarding two criminal cases.
As he prepared to vacate the White House, Biden also took the extraordinary step of commuting the life sentence of Leonard Peltier, an indigenous activist imprisoned for the 1975 murders of two FBI agents, transitioning him to house arrest. Reacting to Biden’s pre-emptive pardons, a spokesperson for Trump characterized it as “the greatest attack on America’s justice system in history,” arguing that the pardons created an unprecedented situation where political affiliates were shielded from accountability.
However, the pardons themselves do not exempt those involved from congressional scrutiny. Many of the recipients are still vulnerable to investigations enacted by a Republican-led Congress, which may compel them to testify and produce documents as required. Although Trump has also hinted at extending pardons to individuals convicted in connection with the January 6 events, the political landscape remains fraught with tension.
Dr. Fauci, expressing his gratitude toward Biden, indicated that the threat of prosecution caused “immeasurable and intolerable distress” on his family, reiterating his innocence. Similarly, General Mark Milley, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanked Biden, revealing his reluctance to endure constant battles against perceived adversaries. Biden’s preemptive pardons extended to the entire House Select Committee investigating the January 6 riot, which was led by Democrats such as Bennie Thompson and included Liz Cheney, who became a vocal critic of Trump following her role in the investigation.
As discussions surrounding these pardons unfold, it’s clear that the political landscape remains turbulent. The actions taken by Biden, while intended to protect his family, are also met with warnings about setting precedents for future presidents. As the new Congress convenes, former officials and public servants remain in a precarious position regarding potential inquiries into their conduct surrounding the January 6 events and their activist roles. Ultimately, these developments may redefine the boundaries of political accountability and executive clemency, influencing future governance.
