Biden pardons family members hours before leaving US presidency

HAMILTON, Canada

In the 11th hour of his presidency, Joe Biden on Monday granted pardons to several of his family members, citing what he called "unrelenting" politically motivated attacks against them.

Just hours before US President Donald Trump's inauguration, Biden used his presidential pardon power for James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden.

Criticizing "unrelenting attacks and threats" as well as “politically driven” investigations he said target his family for partisan reasons, Biden said: "Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end."

Biden also expressed confidence in the rule of law, adding about his pardoned relatives: "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."

The Biden administration has been an advocate for using clemency, with many offenders or alleged offenders pressing him to take such measures.

Biden's first major pardon was in December, for his son Hunter Biden, who was found guilty of federal gun charges stemming from his possession of a firearm while addicted to drugs in 2018. After a plea deal in that case was rejected, critics said the president’s son was being prosecuted in a case where any other person would have not been charged.