Biden Grants Preemptive Pardons to Family Members Moments Before Trump Takes Office

Joe Biden issued a series of pardons on Monday, including for several family members, just minutes before departing the White House.

The pardons were announced as President-elect Donald Trump prepared to take the oath of office, raising questions about their timing and scope.

The clemency list includes James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens, and Francis Biden, the White House confirmed.

BREAKING: Biden has pardoned his family pic.twitter.com/5xdy8CPTQk

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In his statement, Biden defended the move as a necessary measure to protect his family from what he described as politically motivated investigations.

“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. “Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families.”

He added, “Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage their reputations and finances. That is why I am exercising my power under the Constitution to pardon James B. Biden, [his wife] Sara Jones Biden, [first sister] Valerie Biden Owens, [her husband] John T. Owens, and [first brother] Francis W. Biden.”

Biden clarified that the pardons should not be interpreted as admissions of guilt, stating, “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, in his final minutes as President: “I am exercising my power under the Constitution to pardon James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden.” pic.twitter.com/pGAqO3ytRH

— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) January 20, 2025

The pardons come amid ongoing Republican-led investigations into James Biden and other family members regarding their domestic and international business dealings.

James Biden, 75, has been a central figure in allegations of influence peddling, with House Republicans accusing him of leveraging his brother’s political career for financial gain.

In 2023, James Biden and Hunter Biden were subpoenaed by congressional Republicans after evidence surfaced linking Joe Biden to their business dealings.

Records obtained during the investigation indicated James sent $240,000 to Joe Biden in 2017 and 2018, which he described as personal loan repayments.

Republicans have alleged that James Biden lied to Congress and engaged in unregistered foreign lobbying activities, though no formal charges were filed against him.

The House investigation highlighted his involvement in financial transactions and business ventures linked to the first family.

Biden’s decision to pardon James and other relatives follows his unprecedented December 1 pardon of his son, Hunter Biden.

That pardon spanned an 11-year period, covering Hunter’s involvement with Ukrainian gas giant Burisma Holdings, gun charges, and tax evasion issues.

The clemency was issued ahead of sentencing and potential additional charges, drawing significant criticism from Republican lawmakers.

While Biden did not elaborate on the specific reasons for including other family members in the clemency order, reports suggest that Sara Jones Biden and Francis Biden may have been involved in business dealings that raised concerns among investigators.

Critics argue the pardons aim to shield the Biden family from further scrutiny under the incoming Trump administration.

The timing of the pardons has drawn attention, as President-elect Trump’s administration has signaled an interest in revisiting investigations into the Biden family’s business activities.

House Republicans have vowed to continue their inquiries, with key members suggesting that financial records and testimony could shed further light on alleged misconduct.

As President-elect Trump assumes office, the legal and political ramifications of Biden’s pardons are likely to remain a point of contention.

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