Biden Grants Pardons to Family Before Leaving Office

New York, Jan 21 (NationPress) As his presidency drew to a close, US President Joe Biden granted pre-emptive pardons to his brothers, sister, and other family members to protect them from potential legal actions under the forthcoming administration of Donald Trump.

These pardons followed the one he awarded to his son Hunter Biden last month.

On the final day of his presidency, he also issued a range of pardons, including to Anthony Fauci, who played a key role in the response to the Covid pandemic, along with others who might face legal challenges.

In contrast to Hunter, who had been convicted on gun charges and was under scrutiny for tax evasion, his other relatives had not faced any charges.

The family members receiving clemency included brother James Biden and his spouse Sara Jones Biden, another brother Francis Biden, and sister Valerie Biden Owens along with her husband John Owens.

While announcing the pardons, Biden remarked, "My family has endured relentless attacks and threats, driven solely by a desire to hurt me -- the most egregious form of partisan politics."

He further stated, "Sadly, I have no reason to think these assaults will cease."

"Even when individuals have committed no wrongdoing -- indeed, have acted correctly -- and will eventually be vindicated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably harm reputations and finances," he added.

Republicans in the House of Representatives had questioned James Biden in anticipation of impeaching his brother, but this initiative did not materialize.

They claimed to be investigating whether James Biden had gained financially from foreign dealings due to his brother's influence.

On that Monday, the broad array of pre-emptive pardons also included former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, as well as members and staff of the Congressional committee that looked into the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Trump had specifically targeted some of them during his presidential campaign.

He is expected to announce his own pardons upon taking office, including those convicted or facing charges related to the January 6 riots.

Those pardoned by Biden have the option to accept or decline the reprieve, with some potentially rejecting it as an acknowledgment of guilt.

Fauci, who worked alongside Trump during the pandemic, stated, "Let me be unequivocally clear: I have committed no offense and there are no grounds for any accusations or threats of legal investigation against me."

However, he expressed that "the mere expression of these unfounded threats, and the possibility of their implementation, cause immeasurable and intolerable distress for me and my family."

Trump had distanced himself from Fauci under pressure from a far-right faction of his base that opposed lockdowns and vaccine mandates, accusing Fauci of misleading the public and casting a shadow on his scientific collaborations with Chinese organizations.

Trump suggested that Milley should be "executed" for having communicated with the chief of the Chinese military following the January 6 incident.

The General was said to have cautioned China against taking advantage of the situation.

Biden's pardons also included Liz Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, who diverged from Trump due to his conduct during the riots and was the sole Republican to serve on the panel investigating the attack.

The pardons extended to law enforcement officers who enforced the law on January 6 and testified before the Congressional committee.

Previously, Trump pardoned his son Hunter, who faced sentencing after being convicted on weapon charges and trial for tax evasion.

Additionally, he pardoned around 2,500 individuals convicted of drug-related offenses.

Staying true to his opposition to the death penalty, he commuted the sentences of those on federal death row.

In December, Biden granted pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes, which included four Indian Americans.