As Joe Biden prepared to leave office, he made a big decision. He pardoned his siblings and their spouses. Why? Because they had been the target of nasty attacks and threats, all aimed at hurting him politically. Many people were surprised by his move. They saw it as a way for Biden to protect his family from future problems. So, were his family members guilty of any wrongdoing? The president said no. He made it clear that the pardons were not meant as an admission of guilt.

One thing that makes this unusual is that none of these people had been charged with any crimes. Biden's brother, James, and his wife, Sara, were covered by the pardon, as well as his sister, Valerie, and her husband, John Owens, and his brother, Francis. Earlier, Biden had also pardoned his son Hunter, who had been in trouble for tax and gun crimes.

There's more to this story. In June, some Republicans wanted Hunter and James Biden to be prosecuted. They accused them of lying to Congress during a Republican impeachment inquiry. James Biden's lawyer said this was unfair and only based on political feelings. His business dealings had been heavily looked at by Republicans. They thought there were payments that showed the president was benefiting from his brother's work.

But not everyone agreed. Some Democrats said the transactions showed that James Biden was paying back a loan his brother had given him. The money had changed hands when Joe Biden was a private citizen.

Other presidents have pardoned family members too. For example, Bill Clinton pardoned his brother for drug charges. Even Donald Trump, in his last weeks as president, pardoned the father of his son-in-law and some of his allies involved in a Russia investigation.

So, what do you think? Was Biden's decision fair and understandable, or did it raise more questions?

President Biden Protects His Family with Unexpected Pardons

Actions