In an unexpected and controversial move, President Joe Biden issued blanket pardons to several family members in the waning minutes of his presidency, just as President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration began. The pardons cover any nonviolent offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and January 14, 2025, and were granted to James Biden, his brother; Sara Jones Biden, his sister-in-law; Valerie Biden Owens, his sister; John T. Owens, his brother-in-law; and Francis Biden, another brother.
In a statement, President Biden defended the decision, framing it as a response to years of political attacks against his family.
"My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me — the worst kind of partisan politics,” Biden said. “Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end."
Biden emphasized that the pardons were not an admission of guilt or acknowledgment of wrongdoing. However, the timing and scope of the pardons have reignited controversy over the president’s tenure and the GOP-led investigations into his family.
House Oversight Probe and Political Fallout
The pardons follow years of scrutiny from the House Oversight Committee, led by Chair James Comer (R-Ky.). The committee has accused members of the Biden family of influence peddling and financial improprieties, though it has faced challenges in substantiating its key allegations. While the investigation suggested impropriety, particularly concerning business dealings involving James Biden and Hunter Biden, it ultimately failed to uncover concrete evidence of a central accusation: that President Biden or his son accepted bribes.
The probe culminated in a final report accusing President Biden of impeachable conduct, but the Republican-controlled House never pursued formal impeachment proceedings. A pivotal claim that father and son accepted a bribe from foreign entities was discredited after the FBI informant who made the allegation pleaded guilty to fabricating the story.
Despite these setbacks, Comer signaled last week that the GOP was not stepping away from the investigation. He called for contempt of Congress charges against James Biden, accusing him of lying during testimony to protect his brother.
"No one should be above the law, regardless of his last name,” Comer wrote in a letter to Pam Bondi, the incoming attorney general under the Trump administration.
Family Under Fire
James Biden, who partnered with Hunter Biden on business ventures, has been a central figure in the GOP’s scrutiny. Critics alleged that he acted as a conduit for foreign money intended for the president. However, financial records show that funds exchanged between James and Joe Biden reflected loans, which were repaid after business transactions unrelated to Joe Biden’s time in office.
Hunter Biden, who was pardoned by President Biden in December, has also been a focal point of Republican investigations. The president’s decision to pardon other family members now appears aimed at shielding them from ongoing scrutiny as the new administration takes power.
A Divided Nation Reacts
The pardons have drawn sharp reactions from across the political spectrum. Republicans have condemned the move as an abuse of power and an attempt to obstruct accountability. Democrats have defended Biden’s actions as necessary to protect his family from what they describe as politically motivated attacks.
As President Trump assumes office, the pardons set the stage for continued partisan battles over the Biden family and the GOP’s plans to revisit its investigations. For now, President Biden departs the White House with a dramatic and divisive final act, underscoring the deep political rifts that defined his presidency.
0 Comments