President Joe Biden has issued a series of pre-emptive pardons, aiming to shield several family members and key political figures from potential legal probes. Among those pardoned are his brothers James and Frank Biden, and his sister Valerie Biden Owens. The move seeks to protect them from what the President describes as politically motivated attacks. This sweeping act of clemency extends to members of the House Select Committee that investigated the January 6th riot, their staff, and several officers who testified.
The committee, led by Democrat Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming, played a pivotal role in the investigation of the Capitol insurrection. Liz Cheney, in particular, drew ire from former President Donald Trump, who accused her of "treason" for her leadership in the inquiry. The pardons come at a time when Biden's political adversaries scrutinize his actions closely.
Trump, who previously issued a pardon for his son Hunter Biden amidst legal troubles, criticized Biden's pardons as "the greatest attack on America's justice system in history." Trump accused Biden of setting a dangerous precedent for future presidents to issue broad pardons as they exit office.
"With the stroke of a pen, he [Biden] unilaterally shielded a group of political cronies from the scales of justice," said Taylor Budowich.
"This is yet another dangerous and unreversible erosion of American norms," Budowich continued.
Senator Adam Schiff of California echoed concerns about potential precedents, suggesting that Biden's actions could influence how future presidents wield their pardon powers. Despite these criticisms, President Biden justified his decision as a safeguard against "unjustified… politically motivated prosecutions."
"My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me," explained Joe Biden.
"Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end," he added.
Among those pardoned is Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief architect of the Covid-19 response, who insisted he has done nothing wrong.
"Let me be perfectly clear, I have committed no crime and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me," stated Dr. Fauci.
Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also received a pardon despite accusations of "treason" from conservative circles. Milley expressed relief at the pardon, emphasizing his desire to avoid unnecessary distractions.
"I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety," Milley remarked.
Another notable figure affected by Biden's pardons is Leonard Peltier, an indigenous activist whose life sentence has been commuted to house arrest. Peltier's case has long been a matter of contention among human rights advocates.
Harry Dunn, one of the officers who testified during the January 6th investigation, acknowledged the challenging political environment that necessitated such actions.
"Unfortunately, the political climate we are in now has made the need for [a pardon] somewhat of a reality," Dunn noted.
"I, like all other public servants, was just doing my job and upholding my oath," he reiterated.
The pardons have not shielded recipients from continued scrutiny. While they are protected from federal prosecution, they may still face inquiries from a Republican-led Congress. Earlier in 2023, House Republicans launched an investigation into the Bidens' business dealings abroad but found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
"Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment," President Biden asserted in defense of his actions.
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