Biden Pardons Family Members In Final Minutes Of His Presidency
Source: The Washington Post / Getty
Former president Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons for several of his family members as his presidency came to a close on the day of Trump’s inauguration.
Biden’s pardon applies to James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens, and Francis Biden, the White House announced during Trump’s inauguration ceremony. None of these family members were under investigation, however the now-former president argued that his family could be subject to “politically motivated investigations” after he leaves office.
Trump faced scorn from the mainstream media after it was reported that he was considering the idea of issuing preemptive pardons following his defeat in 2020.
In December 2020, CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked Biden what he thought about the rumors that Trump would dole out a wave of pardons for some of his closest confidantes.
“Well, it concerns me in terms of what kind of precedent it sets in how the rest of the world looks at us as a nation of laws and justice,” Biden said at the time.
“You’re not going to see in our administration that kind of approach to pardons,” Biden added. “Nor are you going to see in our administration the approach to making policy by tweets. You know, it’s going to be a totally different way in which we approach the justice system.”
Along with his relatives, Biden also pardoned multiple officials, including former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members and staff of the commission investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
