President Biden noted that the "should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing."

In the final minutes of his presidency, Joe Biden pre-emptively pardoned several family members, including his brothers James and Frank Biden, and sister Valerie Biden Owens. Biden said the pardons were intended to shield his family from politically motivated attacks and should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment of any wrongdoing.

The extraordinary actions by the outgoing president reflect America’s tensions as a successor takes office who has said his opponents should be jailed.