House Speaker Johnson calls Biden’s last-minute pardons ‘shocking’ and ‘disgusting’

January 22, 2025

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson He said former President Joe Biden's last-minute pardon for the family was “shocking” and “disgusting.”

“It was shocking. I mean, it was shocking that President Biden, upon leaving office, pardoned a family for over 10 years of any activity or non-violent crime. It was breathtaking for us. It was something like that,” Johnson said Wednesday during a House Republican speech. Leaders' weekly press conferences.

“I don't think anything like this was ever expected. By the way, look at the tape. You know, four years ago, it was hinted that President Trump might do something similar. When it just happened, they were in a panic. Joe Biden himself, Adam Schiff, Chuck Schumer said it was crazy and unconscionable, but now they're rooting for it. ” Johnson continued.

“To us, that's disgusting. To us, that probably proves the point. You know, the allegations that they're calling the Biden crime family. If they're not a crime family, why not? Do you need a pardon?'' Johnson said. “Look, this is going to get a lot of attention. And I think that's appropriate. And we're going to look at that as well.”

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Prime Minister Johnson listens to President Donald Trump's speech after taking the oath of office during the 60th presidential inauguration ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Monday, Jan. 20, in Washington. (Kevin Lamarck/Pool photo via AP)

biden pardoned his brother Minutes before leaving the office on Monday.

The White House announced that the pardons applied to James Biden, Sarah Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens, and Frances Biden. The president claimed that his family could be subject to “politically motivated investigations” after leaving office.

“I believe in the rule of law and am optimistic that the power of legal institutions will ultimately trump politics. However, baseless and politically motivated investigations are a serious threat to targeted individuals and their families. will wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and economic security of Americans,” Biden said in a statement.

“Even if an individual has done nothing wrong and is ultimately acquitted, the mere fact that they are investigated or indicted can cause irreparable damage to their reputation and finances,” Biden said. It's sexual,” he added.

The pardon has been widely criticized, and Jason Miller, a senior transition adviser to Trump and Vance, explained the pardon on Fox News. as “nonsense”.

“I think it's nonsense for Joe Biden to do something like that,” he said.

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Former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden wave to supporters as they depart from Joint Base Andrews.

Mr. Biden and the former first lady will board Special Air Mission 46 at Joint Base Andrews after Monday's inauguration. Biden pardoned the family minutes before leaving office. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Kate Bedingfield, former Biden White House communications director, also He called them “unfortunate moves.”

Early Monday morning, Biden issued a slew of preemptive pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley and others involved in the Jan. 6 House Select Committee investigation.

Since President Donald Trump took office, Sign off on release More than 1,500 people have been charged with crimes stemming from the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.