In a final act before leaving office, former President Joe Biden issued a series of controversial pardons.
President Joe Biden pardoned relatives and close associates shortly before stepping down, sparking intense discussions about the implications on presidential credibility, Fox News reported.
Former President Biden pardoned his siblings—James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens, and Francis Biden. Joe Biden announced these pardons just minutes before he concluded his term in office, moments before Donald Trump took the presidential oath again.
The president voiced concerns over "politically motivated investigations" that could potentially target his family after his presidency. In his view, these investigations could endanger not only the personal safety of his family members but also pose risks to their financial stability.
President Biden also extended pardons to several prominent figures earlier that day including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and persons associated with the House select committee on the January 6 investigation.
James Comer, Chair of the House Oversight Committee, had previously called for the prosecution of James Biden. He accused him of providing false information to Congress. Further, House Republicans had recommended criminal indictments for both James and Hunter Biden. They alleged the duo made misleading statements during congressional sessions that were crucial to an impeachment inquiry directed at President Biden.
President Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden is notably contentious. Biden had assured previously that he would not interfere in legal matters concerning his son.
Following revelations that Hunter had settled his overdue taxes, President Biden chose to issue this pardon.
The pardons have stirred various public reactions, discussing the intricacies of presidential power and its effects on public trust in governance. Tommy Vietor commented on the matter, criticizing both parties for apparent hypocrisy.
Former President Biden asserted his trust in the legal system but expressed his concerns regarding unwarranted legal actions against his family:
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.
Biden highlighted how investigations damage individuals who are later cleared of wrongdoing. Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact that investigators or prosecutors target them can irreparably damage their reputations and finances.
Biden performed these pardons minutes before Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, making them among his final actions in office.
In conclusion, the series of pardons issued by former President Joe Biden, particularly those granted to close family members, has magnified ongoing debates about political bias and the ethical use of presidential pardoning power. These actions have left the public and political commentators pondering the broader implications for the integrity of the presidency and its perceived neutrality in safeguarding the rule of law.