In a dramatic final act as president, Joe Biden issued a series of pre-emptive pardons and commutations just minutes before the end of his administration.
Among those pardoned were members of his own family, whom he says have faced relentless attacks driven by political motives.
“Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end,” Biden said in a statement.
The pardons extend to his brother James Biden, his sister Valerie Biden Owens and her husband John Owens, his brother Francis Biden, and James’ wife, Sara Jones.
Protecting Family from “Baseless Investigations”
In his statement, Biden condemned what he described as politically motivated investigations that have targeted his family.
“Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families,” Biden said.
He added: “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.”
Commutations and Notable Pardons
Biden’s final acts of clemency also included pardons for two additional prisoners and the commutation of Leonard Peltier’s sentence. Peltier, an 80-year-old Native American activist, has been serving a life sentence for the killing of two FBI agents during a 1975 shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Peltier’s case has been the subject of decades-long controversy, with advocates arguing that his trial was marred by misconduct and that his continued imprisonment is unjust.
Earlier today, Biden also issued pre-emptive pardons for the pandemic response chief Anthony Fauci and the members of the 6 January riot investigation to prevent what he called “unjustified… politically motivated prosecutions”.
The outgoing US president said in a statement earlier today: “Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment.”
Trump’s Team Responds
A Trump spokesperson has called Biden’s pre-emptive pardon “the greatest attack on America’s justice system in history”.
“With the stroke of a pen, he [Biden] unilaterally shielded a group of political cronies from the scales of justice,” Taylor Budowich, Trump’s incoming deputy chief of staff for communications & personnel said in a post on X. “This is yet another dangerous and unreversible erosion of American norms.”
Trump Sworn In As President
Donald Trump has now taken the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States, as he swore to “preserve, protect and defend” the Constitution.
In his inaugural address as 47th US president, Trump addressed the other key political figures in the room, before saying: “The golden age of America begins right now.
From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected.
“I will very simply put America first.”
“Sunlight is pouring over the entire world and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before,” Trump added.
