WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former President Joe Biden on Monday pardoned James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W.
In Biden’s final hours as the president, he pardoned a number of individuals, including Dr. Anthony Fauci along with his family.
Former President Joe Biden pardons Dr. Anthony Fauci
President Joe Biden pardons Dr. Anthony Fauci
President Joe Biden has pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, using the extraordinary powers of his office in his final hours to guard against potential “revenge” by the incoming Trump administration.
What we know:
In an extraordinary use of presidential powers in his final hours, Biden sought to guard against potential “revenge” by the incoming Trump administration.
The decision follows Donald Trump’s warning of an enemies list targeting those who opposed him politically or held him accountable for his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Trump has chosen Cabinet nominees who backed his election falsehoods and swore to punish those involved in investigating him.
Fauci, who coordinated the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, drew Trump’s ire by refusing to support his unfounded claims.
Fauci has since become a target of intense hatred from the right, who blame him for mask mandates and other policies they believe infringed on their rights, even as tens of thousands of Americans died.
Retired Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called Trump a fascist and detailed Trump’s conduct around the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.
Statement from President Joe Biden after pardoning his family
I am issuing pardons to Gerald G. Lundergan and Ernest William Cromartie. I am also commuting the life sentence imposed on Leonard Peltier so that he serves the remainder of his sentence in home confinement.
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.
I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. 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.
That is why I am exercising my power under the Constitution to pardon James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden. 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.
On Background from the White House
Gerald G. Lundergan
The President is pardoning Gerald G. Lundergan. Mr. Lundergan is now 77 years old and suffered a debilitating stroke before serving his sentence. Since his release from prison, he has demonstrated remorse, raised money for an in-patient treatment facility for people recovering from substance abuse, and helped establish a nonprofit foundation dedicated to help inmates reenter the workforce.
Ernest William Cromartie
The President is pardoning Ernest William Cromartie. Mr. Cromartie has dedicated his life to public service. Since his release from prison, he has established a scholarship for underprivileged youth and is active in his church and faith community. Mr. Cromartie’s supporters praise his leadership and compassion.
COMMUTATION
Leonard Peltier
The President is commuting the life sentence imposed on Leonard Peltier so that he serves the remainder of his sentence in home confinement. He is now 80 years old, suffers from severe health ailments, and has spent the majority of his life (nearly half a century) in prison. This commutation will enable Mr. Peltier to spend his remaining days in home confinement but will not pardon him for his underlying crimes.
Mr. Peltier is a Native American activist who is currently serving life in prison for killing two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and escaping from federal prison. Tribal Nations, Nobel Peace laureates, former law enforcement officials (including the former U.S. Attorney whose office oversaw Mr. Peltier’s prosecution and appeal), dozens of lawmakers, and human rights organizations strongly support granting Mr. Peltier clemency, citing his advanced age, illnesses, his close ties to and leadership in the Native American community, and the substantial length of time he has already spent in prison.
The Source: The White House briefing room and the Associated Press were used as sources for this report.
