In a grand finale befitting his tumultuous presidency, Joe Biden wrapped up his term with a headline-grabbing move: a spree of preemptive pardons that left critics and supporters alike buzzing. Issued mere moments before Donald Trump took the oath of office, these pardons shielded Biden’s family members and political allies from potential future scrutiny. Framed by the White House as a safeguard against “baseless and politically motivated investigations,” the timing and recipients raised more than a few eyebrows. If the goal was to spark debate, mission accomplished.
Leading the list were Biden’s brother James, his sister Valerie, and their respective spouses, with another brother, Francis, also receiving a pardon. While the administration was quick to insist these acts of clemency didn’t imply wrongdoing, the optics were undeniably awkward. Pardoning your relatives on the way out the door doesn’t exactly scream confidence in their spotless records. For many, it looked less like a principled move and more like a strategic preemptive strike to ward off potential legal headaches down the road.
The familial pardons, however, were just the appetizer. Biden’s clemency extended to high-profile names like Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and several lawmakers linked to the January 6 investigations. Throw in a former Democratic Party chairman and a South Carolina councilman, and the list began to look like a roll call of embattled Democratic insiders. Perhaps most controversially, Biden commuted the life sentence of Leonard Peltier, convicted of killing two FBI agents in the 1970s. For critics, this smorgasbord of pardons solidified the perception of a president rewarding loyalty while shielding his allies from accountability.
Of course, no discussion of Biden’s pardons would be complete without addressing the elephant in the room: Hunter Biden. Convicted on gun charges and admitting to tax crimes, Hunter had long been a lightning rod for Republican attacks and even some quiet grumbling among Democrats. Biden’s December pardon for his son was as predictable as it was polarizing. To his supporters, it was a father protecting his child; to his detractors, it was yet another instance of the Biden family leveraging their political power to skirt consequences.
As Biden exited the stage, he defended his actions as a necessary stand against overreach, claiming the pardons were meant to prevent reputational and financial ruin for those caught in the crosshairs of partisan investigations. Yet, for many, the timing and scope of his clemency spree left a sour taste, serving as a final reminder of an administration accused of prioritizing its inner circle over broader principles. With Trump stepping into office and pledging to chart a drastically different course, Biden’s parting gift to his allies is sure to remain a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over accountability and privilege in Washington.
