The White House has recently released a statement announcing a series of pardons and a commutation of sentence. This decision, signed by the President, includes pardons for Gerald G. Lundergan and Ernest William Cromartie, and a commutation for Leonard Peltier. Notably, the pardons also extend to several members of President Biden’s family: James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden. This move comes amidst what the President describes as persistent and unwarranted attacks directed at his family.
The statement emphasizes that these pardons for his family members are not an admission of any wrongdoing on their part. Instead, it frames the pardons as a preemptive measure against politically motivated investigations that the President believes are designed to harm him through his family. He expresses concern over the “unrelenting attacks and threats” his family has faced, attributing them to partisan politics. The President asserts his faith in the legal system but highlights the potential for politically driven investigations to cause significant damage to individuals and their families, regardless of ultimate exoneration. This concern for the well-being and reputations of his family appears to be a central motivation behind these pardons.
Beyond the pardons for his family, the White House statement provides background on the other individuals granted clemency. Gerald G. Lundergan, pardoned at the age of 77, had suffered a stroke prior to his sentence. His post-prison activities include demonstrating remorse and contributing to substance abuse recovery and inmate reentry programs. Ernest William Cromartie, also pardoned, is recognized for a life dedicated to public service, establishing scholarships for underprivileged youth and engaging actively within his church community. Supporters have lauded Cromartie for his leadership and compassion.
In addition to the pardons, Leonard Peltier, an 80-year-old Native American activist, received a commutation of his life sentence. Facing serious health issues and having served nearly half a century in prison for the killing of two FBI agents, Peltier will now serve the remainder of his sentence under home confinement. It’s important to note that this commutation is not a pardon for his crimes. The decision to commute Peltier’s sentence was influenced by support from Tribal Nations, Nobel Peace laureates, former law enforcement officials, lawmakers, and human rights organizations, all citing his age, health, community ties, and extensive time served.
This announcement from the White House underscores the President’s use of his constitutional pardon power, both to address specific cases of individuals deemed deserving of clemency and to protect his family from what he views as politically motivated persecution. The pardons for the Family Of Joe Biden are presented as a proactive defense against potential future actions, rooted in the belief that his family has been unfairly targeted.
