CNN's John King criticized former President Biden's last-minute pardons to families on his way out of the White House, calling it “unseemly” in remarks Monday.
In a voice-over commentary for CNN, the veteran journalist recalled covering former President Clinton's final days in office when he pardoned billionaire Marc Rich, whose wife was a Democratic donor.
“When I was covering President Clinton's White House, just before the soon-to-be-former president headed to the Capitol, the government pardoned this billionaire fugitive, Marc Rich. It was in violation of all sanctions against Iran and against countries around the world,” King said.
“It's just ugly,” he continued. “If you're going to do it, have the courage to do it in the light of day and explain it to the American people. To do something like this is to leave a stain on his legacy.”
“You can argue, but is it necessary? Did Donald Trump promise retaliation? Yes, he did,” King said. “But if you were the president of the United States and said that Donald Trump's curse was a lack of respect for democracy and norms, would you have the courage to look the American people in the eye?” And what are you doing? Please explain. ”
Biden announced the pardon for the family on Monday in the final minutes of his term, but it comes as President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration has already begun.
A full pardon was granted to his younger brother, James Biden. his sister-in-law, Sarah Jones Biden; his sister, Valerie Biden Owens; his brother-in-law, John T. Owens; and his youngest brother Francis Biden.
“My family has been subjected to relentless attacks and threats motivated solely by a desire to harm me. This is partisan politics of the worst kind,” Biden said in a statement. “Unfortunately, there is no reason to believe these attacks will end.”
Biden said the pardon does not admit any wrongdoing and that accepting a pardon should not be considered an admission of guilt. Eligible non-violent crimes from January 1, 2014 through Sunday.
The pardons for the Biden family came after numerous family members testified before the then-House Oversight and Accountability Committee investigating both President Biden and his son Hunter Biden in an influence-trafficking investigation.
The president granted a similar full pardon to his son last month, drawing bipartisan criticism despite previously saying he would never take such an action.
