JOE Biden has pardoned his closest family members in a stunning move in his final moments as president.
The pre-emptive pardons for his brothers, sister, and their spouses were announced as Biden sat at Trump’s inauguration and watched him be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.
Biden pardoned his brother, James, and multiple other relatives, to guard against potential “revenge,” according to a statement released during Donald Trump’s second inauguration ceremony.
“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 as the inauguration ceremony was underway.
“Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end.
“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,” he said.
Biden went on to say that investigations can “wreak havoc” on targeted people’s safety, reputations, and finances.
It comes as…
- Donald Trump’s inauguration is the first indoor ceremony since 1985
- Joe Biden pardoned his family members in the last minutes of his term
- Carrie Underwood faced major technical difficulties during her inauguration performance
- Biden snickered as Trump vowed to restore “common sense”
- Michelle Obama didn’t show up to the inauguration
- Jeff Bezo’s fiancee was blasted for her outfit choice
- The lunch menu has a subtle nod to Kamala Harris
- Trump’s grandkids stole the show at the morning’s church service
He emphasized that his family didn’t do anything wrong, but that he wanted to protect them from the “baseless” attacks.
Just moments later, the White House’s website updated to show Trump as the new president.
The pardons come after House Republicans investigated James Biden as part of an impeachment inquiry against Biden.
Congressman James Comer urged the Justice Department to charge James for allegedly making false statements to lawmakers.
Trump openly spoke about his plan to get revenge on those who prosecuted him or crossed him politically throughout Biden’s term.
On the campaign trail, he talked about “enemies from within” and shared social media posts calling to punish top White House officials and former government aides
Earlier this morning, Biden also issued a pre-emptive pardon for Dr. Anthony Fauci as well as committee members who investigated the attacks on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Presidential inauguration ceremony rundown
President-elect Donald Trump sworn-in as the 47th president of the United States by receiving the oath of office on January 20, 2025.
The swearing-in ceremony for Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will begin on January 20, 2025, at noon EST.
However, the inauguration events began on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
Inauguration timeline:
- Saturday, January 18, 2025: Reception and fireworks at Trump’s golf club in Virginia.
- A cabinet reception and vice president dinner.
- Sunday, January 19, 2025: Wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery.
- Trump delivered remarks at a victory rally at Capitol One Arena in Washington DC and a candlelight dinner.
- Monday, January 20, 2025: The inauguration will begin with a service at St. John’s church, followed by tea at the White House.
- The official presidential oath of office of Trump and JD Vance will start at noon.
- A farewell to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will follow.
- President Trump will then head to the President’s Room in the Capitol near the Senate chamber, where he is expected to sign nominations and other documents in his first official act.
- A luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies follows after the signing ceremony.
- President Trump kicks off the presidential parade from the Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue and to the White House.
- After the parade, the Oval Office signing ceremony begins at the White House.
- President Trump will attend three inaugural balls – the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball, and the Starlight Ball. He is expected to make remarks at all three events.
- Tuesday, January 21: A National Prayer is held to conclude the official inaugural ceremony.
He also pardoned Capitol and DC Metropolitan cops who testified before that committee.
AGAINST ‘REVENGE’
Biden said in a statement that he couldn’t “do nothing” as the people he pre-emptively pardoned were “threatened with criminal prosecutions.”
He accused the Trump administration of “an attempt to rewrite history, erase the stain of January 6th for partisan gain, and seek revenge, including by threatening criminal prosecutions.”
Trump said the last-minute pardons were “disgraceful,” according to NBC News.
“Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES!” he alleged.
Trump has yet to comment on the latest wave of pardons – because he’s been busy swearing in as the 47th president of the United States.
“I’ve been saved by God to make America great again,” Trump said during his indoor ceremony on Monday.
With just 20 minutes remaining in his term, Biden also commuted the life sentence for Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier.
Peltier was convicted of killing two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1975.
Biden’s move allows Peltier, now 80, to serve out the rest of his sentence from his home.
