President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to several close family members in the final hours of his presidency, citing threats and attacks motivated by partisan politics. The pardons, including his siblings and in-laws, sparked controversy, with Republicans accusing the President of shielding his family from potential wrongdoing.
President Joe Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons to several close family members in the final minutes of his presidency, citing relentless attacks and threats motivated by partisan politics. The pardons, issued on Monday, January 19, 2025, include James Biden, Joe's younger brother; Sara Jones Biden, James' wife; Valerie Biden Owens, Joe's younger sister; John T. Owens, Valerie's husband; and Francis W. Biden, Joe's younger brother.
Biden stated in a press release that these pardons were not an acknowledgment of any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt. He emphasized that baseless and politically motivated investigations can irreparably damage individuals' reputations and finances, even when they ultimately prove innocent. This move comes after Biden issued a controversial pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, in December 2024, over tax evasion and federal gun charges. While Biden had previously stated he did not plan to pardon Hunter, he ultimately chose to do so. Congressional Republicans, who had been pressing the incoming Justice Department to charge James Biden for allegedly lying to Congress during its impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden and his family, reacted strongly to the pardons. Paul Fishman, an attorney representing James and Sara Biden, stated that they accepted the pardon despite never committing any crimes, citing the reasons outlined by President Biden. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, wrote to incoming Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging her to hold James Biden accountable for allegedly misleading Congress about Joe Biden's involvement in his family's influence peddling. Comer asserted that James Biden deserved prosecution under federal law. This action follows a criminal referral for James Biden to the Justice Department by Comer and his Republican colleagues. Comer characterized the preemptive pardons as a 'confession of their corruption.' The pardon warrant, signed on January 19, 2025, excuses James Biden and the other family members of 'ANY NONVIOLENT OFFENSES against the United States which they may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014, through the date of this pardon.
BIDEN PARDONS FAMILY POLITICS INVESTIGATIONS CONGRESS JAMES BIDEN HUNTER BIDEN DONALD TRUMP
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
President Biden pardons family members in final minutes of presidencyBiden issued pardons to several family members Monday.
Read more »
Biden pardons his family members in final moments as presidentBiden issued blanket pardons for his brother James and his wife, Sara, his sister Valerie and her husband, John Owens, and his brother Francis.
Read more »
Former President Joe Biden pardons his family during final minutes in officePresident Joe Biden on Monday pardoned James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W.
Read more »
Biden Grants Pardons to Five Family Members in Preemptive MovePresident Joe Biden issued pardons to five family members, including his brother James Biden and sister Valerie Biden Owens, just before leaving office. The pardons, which cover offenses from 2014 to Monday, are effective immediately. Biden stated the decision was made to shield his family from politically motivated attacks by Republicans, alleging they faced relentless harassment and threats. The move comes amidst ongoing congressional investigations into the Biden family's business dealings, which have been heavily scrutinized by Republicans.
Read more »
President Joe Biden pardons nearly 2,500 nonviolent drug offenders'With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history,' President Joe Biden wrote in his announcement Friday.
Read more »
President Biden posthumously pardons Black nationalist Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey influenced Malcolm X and other civil rights leaders and was convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s.
Read more »