Former US President Joe Biden pardoned his siblings and their spouses on Monday, stating that his family had faced continuous “attacks and threats” aimed at him.
“My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me — the worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end,” Biden said.
The pardons were issued just before Biden left office and included several aides and allies targeted by Donald Trump. None of the individuals involved have been charged with any crimes.
Last month, Biden also pardoned his son, Hunter, for tax and gun-related offenses.
The pardons granted on Monday covered Biden’s brother James and his wife Sara, his sister Valerie and her husband John Owens, and his brother Francis.
“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 clarified in a statement.
The pardons were issued while Biden and others were at the US Capitol for Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president.
