In the closing moments of his presidency, Joe Biden issued pre-emptive pardons to several family members and public officials, citing a desire to protect them from politically motivated legal actions. Among those pardoned were Biden’s brothers James and Frank Biden, his sister Valerie Biden Owens, sister-in-law Sara Jones Biden, and brother-in-law John Owens. Biden emphasized that the pardons should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing.
Biden stated that his family had been subjected to persistent attacks and threats, which he attributed to efforts to harm his political standing. These pardons, he said, were intended to prevent further personal and professional harm to those targeted.
In addition to family members, Biden pardoned Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as well as members of the House Select Committee that investigated the events of January 6, 2021. Biden expressed gratitude to these individuals for their public service, describing the pardons as a safeguard against politically motivated prosecutions.
Pardons for Public Officials
The pardons extended to a range of public officials and figures involved in contentious national events. Fauci, who played a central role in the U.S. pandemic response, expressed appreciation for the pardon. He described the threat of potential legal action as a significant strain on his family, adding that he had committed no wrongdoing.
Members of the January 6 Committee were also included in the pardons. The committee, which investigated the breach of the U.S. Capitol, was chaired by Bennie Thompson and included former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney. The pardons covered committee members, staff, and officers who testified during the investigation. Despite the pardons, recipients could still be subject to future congressional investigations, which may require testimony or the submission of additional materials.
Mark Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was also among those pardoned. Milley had previously voiced concerns about potential retribution for his statements and actions while in office. In his response to the pardon, Milley expressed a desire to avoid prolonged legal disputes and to protect his family from unnecessary distress.
