WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden pardoned his brother James Biden and other relatives Monday for unspecified crimes, a similar last-minute move to protect his family from potential investigation as when he pardoned his son Hunter Biden for gun and tax convictions. President Biden used his executive clemency power to protect people targeted by Donald J. Trump, including five members of his family as well as Liz Cheney, Anthony S. Fauci and Mark A. Milley.

The president said he pardoned his brother and other relatives − James's wife Sara Jones Biden, sister Valerie Biden Owens and her husband John Owens, and another brother, Francis Biden − because of concerns about "baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families," he said in a statement released minutes before the end of his term.

"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," Biden said.