In his final days in office, the outgoing US President used his powers to pardon multiple family members, effectively shielding them from potential legal repercussions that may have arisen under his presidency.
Biden stated on Monday that his family had been the target of coordinated efforts to harm him politically for a long time. “My family has been the victim of relentless attacks and threats, grounded only in the desire to harm me – the worst form of partisan politics” he said in a statement. “I have no reason to assume these attacks will cease.”
The pardon extends to “all non-violent federal offenses against the United States” that five family members of Biden’s could have committed between January 1, 2014, and the end of his term in office.
“I use the power that the Constitution has conferred upon me to pardon James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden” the outgoing President said, adding that the pardons should not be seen as an admission of guilt by the individuals.
This pardon effectively ends any potential investigation into the long-running influence-peddling activities of James Biden, who has been investigated by Republicans in Congress and journalists alike. Although he has not been charged with a crime, James, the President’s brother, a former nightclub owner, broker, and political consultant, has been accused by Republicans of lying to Congress and acting as an unregistered foreign agent.
James and the President’s son, Hunter Biden, were subpoenaed over their alleged involvement in business dealings in the US and abroad, particularly in China and Ukraine. Hunter Biden was pardoned by his father last year, months after he was convicted of tax and gun law violations and faced another trial.
This controversial pardon occurred despite Joe Biden’s repeated promises not to interfere in his son’s legal proceedings.