A contentious exchange of words erupted between House Speaker Mike Johnson and former President Joe Biden over last-minute presidential pardons.
According to Fox News, House Speaker Mike Johnson strongly condemned Biden's decision to pardon his family members moments before leaving office, describing the action as "shocking" and "disgusting" during the House Republican leadership's weekly press conference.
The pardons, issued just minutes before Biden's departure from office on Monday, encompassed five family members: James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens, and Francis Biden. Biden justified these pardons by expressing concerns about potential politically motivated investigations targeting his family after his presidency.
Biden's statement defending the pardons emphasized his belief in the legal system while acknowledging the devastating impact investigations can have on individuals and their families. He specifically highlighted how investigations, even when unfounded, can cause irreparable damage to reputations and financial stability.
House Speaker Johnson, speaking at the weekly press conference, drew attention to the stark contrast between current reactions and those from four years ago when similar actions were merely suggested. He pointed out that Biden himself, along with Adam Schiff and Chuck Schumer, had previously condemned such potential pardons.
Johnson said:
It was shocking. I mean, it was shocking what President Biden did on the way out, pardoning his family for more than a decade of whatever activity, any nonviolent offenses. It was breathtaking to us.
The former president's pardoning spree extended beyond his family members, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and individuals connected to the House select committee investigation on January 6.
These pardons have faced criticism from various quarters, including former Biden White House communications director Kate Bedingfield, who termed them a "disappointing move." Trump-Vance transition senior adviser Jason Miller also expressed his disapproval of the pardons.
The timing of these pardons coincides with President Donald Trump's recent actions regarding the January 6 cases, as he has approved the release of more than 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the Capitol attack.
The wave of pardons represents one of Biden's final acts as president, occurring just before Trump's swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Monday. The White House announcement emphasized Biden's commitment to protecting his family from what he characterized as politically motivated investigations.
These last-minute decisions have intensified the already heated political atmosphere surrounding the transition of power. House Republican leadership has indicated their intention to examine these pardons more closely in the coming weeks.
The topic continues to generate significant discussion among political analysts and lawmakers, with Johnson suggesting that these actions may warrant further investigation by Congress.
The controversial pardons issued by former President Joe Biden minutes before leaving office on Monday have created a significant political debate, with House Speaker Mike Johnson leading the criticism against these executive actions. The pardons, which covered five Biden family members and several other high-profile individuals, were justified as protection against potential politically motivated investigations. As the dust settles on this controversial decision, Congressional leadership has signaled their intention to scrutinize these pardons more closely in the coming weeks.
