Biden Pardons Family Members in Final Moments of Presidency

As one of his final actions as president, Joe Biden issued pardons for five of his family members.

“My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me—the worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end,” Biden said in a statement.

“I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families,” the statement said. “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.”

“That is why I am exercising my power under the Constitution to pardon James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden,” he said. “The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that they engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense.”

The pardons come the same day Biden preemptively pardoned retired General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of the January 6 Committee.

The White House statement praised Milley, Fauci, and committee members as “dedicated, selfless public servants” who faced unjust threats and intimidation for carrying out their duties. Biden argued that investigations into these individuals were harmful and politically driven, asserting, “Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families.”

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