President Joe Biden recently issued preemptive pardons for three of his siblings and two of their spouses, just moments before President-elect Donald Trump was sworn in. The White House announced these pardons in light of concerns that they would be targeted by politically motivated investigations.
Among those pardoned were Biden's brother, James Biden, and his wife Sara Jones Biden, as well as his sister, Valerie Biden Owens, and her husband, John Owens. Biden also commuted the life sentence of Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1975.
These pardons were part of a larger group that also included Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and members of Congress who investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Biden emphasized that the issuance of these pardons should not be seen as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing, but rather as a preemptive measure to protect his family from baseless attacks and threats.
In a statement, Biden expressed his belief in the rule of law and his optimism that legal institutions will prevail over politics. He also highlighted the damaging impact of politically motivated investigations on the lives, safety, and financial security of individuals and their families.
President Biden's decision to grant preemptive clemency to his family members has broken historic norms and is unprecedented. Trump criticized Biden's pardons for Fauci, Milley, and Jan. 6 committee figures, calling them "disgraceful."