In a dramatic final act as President, Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to several individuals, including members of his family and key allies, just moments before Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. The move was seen as a safeguard against potential political retaliation under the incoming administration.

Among those pardoned were five of Biden's family members: his brother James and James' wife, Sara; his sister Valerie and her husband, John Owens; and his brother Francis. Biden clarified that the pardons should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing by those pardoned.

“These pardons are not an acknowledgment of guilt but a necessary step to protect my family from politically motivated attacks aimed at undermining me,” Biden said in a statement from the White House. He expressed concern that the partisan climate would continue to target his family after he left office.

Pardons for Allies and High-Profile Figures

Earlier in the day, Biden also granted preemptive pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, his former chief medical adviser and a central figure in the country’s COVID-19 response; retired General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and members and staff of the House committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

These pardons followed a series of clemency decisions that marked the final days of Biden’s presidency. Last Friday, Biden commuted the sentences of approximately 2,500 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses, reflecting his administration's commitment to criminal justice reform.

Additionally, last month, Biden issued a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, addressing tax and firearm-related offenses amid ongoing scrutiny and political pressure.

Biden’s Record-Setting Clemency Decisions

With these actions, the 81-year-old President concluded his term by breaking records for the most individual pardons and commutations issued by any US president. The announcement of these sweeping clemency measures came just minutes before Donald Trump, now 78, returned to power for his second term as President.

Biden’s final acts of clemency underscore his efforts to protect his allies and family while addressing broader issues of justice reform, even as the political landscape shifts with the transition of power.