By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-20 17:01:45 | Updated at 2025-01-20 20:51:27
3 hours ago
President Joe Biden pardoned several members of his family, including his brother, in his final minutes in office.
The announcement came about 15 minutes before Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.
Biden issued pre-emptive pardons to James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden.
'The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that they engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense,' Biden said in his last act as president.
His brother James Biden had been pulled into House Republicans' impeachment investigation of Joe Biden, which ultimately went no where.
However, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer had asked Trump’s Justice Department to investigate and prosecute James for allegedly making false statements to Congress.
Biden also pardoned James' wife Sara, his sister Valerie, her husband John and his younger brother Francis Biden.
Earlier in his presidency Biden pardoned his son Hunter after vowing not to.
The only family members missing from Monday's list was wife Jill and daughter Ashley.
Earlier Monday Biden issued pre-emptive pardons from General Mike Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Rep. Liz Cheney and other lawmakers who investigated the January 6th riot in the Capitol.
