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The President Joe Biden on Monday he granted pardons for his three siblings and their two spouses, citing concerns that they will be the target of “baseless and politically motivated investigations”.
The the white house He announced the pardons a few minutes before the president-elect Donald Trump He entered the Rotunda of the Capitol to be sworn in as the next commander-in-chief.
Earlier on Monday, Biden preemptively forgiven some other figures — in between Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley and members of Congress who investigated January 6 Riot in the Capitol – for similar reasons.
Biden’s latest string of pardons was his brother, James Biden; James’ wife, Sara Jones Biden; his younger sister, Valerie Biden Owens; Owens’ husband, John Owens; and his other brother, Francis Biden.
“Granting these apologies should not be mistaken for an admission of wrongdoing, nor should the admission be misconstrued as guilt of any crime,” Biden said in a statement.
He also pardoned former Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Gerald Lundergan and former South Carolina Congressman Ernest Cromartie. The outgoing president also commuted the life sentence of Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1975.
Biden pardoned his son in early December Hunter Bidenreversing his earlier claim that he would not do so.
Hunter was convicted last year in a federal criminal gun trial and pleaded guilty in another federal case involving tax crimes.
James Biden was interviewed last year by the House Judiciary and Senate committees as part of the Joe Biden impeachment inquiry.
“Jim and Sara Biden did not ask for a pardon because they have never committed a crime. But for the reasons explained by the president, they have granted it,” Paul Fishman, attorney for James and Sara Biden, said in a statement.
In a press release Monday, Biden said, “My family has been subjected to constant attacks and threats, motivated only by the desire to hurt me, partisan politics at its worst. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end.”
“I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that, ultimately, the strength of our legal institutions will prevail over politics,” he said.
“But baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and are ultimately exonerated, being investigated or prosecuted can inevitably damage their reputations. and finance”.
“Therefore, I am using my power under the Constitution to pardon James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden,” Biden said.
Trump lashed out after Biden announced the January 6 pardons of Fauci, Milley and the commission’s figures, calling the move “disgraceful.”
“Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES! DJT,” Trump told NBC News’ Kristen Welker in a text message. Trump’s White House press office did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on Biden’s pardons for his family members.
While Biden’s parole grants break historical norms, it is common for presidents to issue pardons at the 11th hour. And there are precedents for a president pardoning a family member and someone related to a family member.
President Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton after he was found guilty of drug charges on his last day.
Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, father of son-in-law Jared Kushner, at the end of his first term.
Charles Kushner pleaded guilty in 2004 to filing false tax returns, retaliating against a witness and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission.
