In a controversial conclusion to his presidency, President Joe Biden issued pardons to multiple family members just minutes before Donald Trump's inauguration, prompting criticism from notable figures including CNN's John King and former President Trump himself. King described the pardons as “unseemly,” invoking comparisons with former President Bill Clinton’s last-minute pardoning of fugitive Marc Rich in 2001, according to The Hill. "It's just unseemly," King emphasized, asserting that such actions tarnish a president's legacy and lack transparency. He urged Biden to explain his decisions openly to the American public.

Similarly, Trump expressed his disapproval of Biden's actions during a press conference, stating, "That makes him look very guilty." He suggested that issuing pardons could set a dangerous precedent for future presidents, potentially allowing them to pardon all acquaintances upon leaving office. Biden's pardons targeted family members, including his sister, Valerie Biden Owens, and his brother, James Biden, among others, covering nonviolent offenses accumulated from January 2014 until Biden’s final day in office, as reported by The Hill.

In a statement, Biden justified the pardons, describing the attacks against his family as "unrelenting" partisan attacks, further stating that the pardons should not be construed as an acknowledgment of guilt. This decision follows prior pardons granted to his son, Hunter Biden, who faced legal challenges in 2022 related to tax evasion and firearms possession. Critics have suggested that the pardons might undermine accountability, eliciting a heated debate over the ethicality of such last-minute clemency.

As political tensions rise and the implications of Biden's pardons unfold, the fallout may have lasting effects on both his administration's legacy and the broader political landscape.