Joe Biden in the final minutes of his presidency on Monday issued pardons to five more members of his family—his brother James and wife Sarah, his younger sister Valerie Biden Owens and husband John T. Owens, and his brother Francis Biden—after he says they were "subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats" motivated by a desire to hurt him.

President Joe Biden issued pardons to several close family members Monday in the final minutes of his presidency.

In his last day as president, Joe Biden pardoned five members of his extended family, including his two brothers, James Biden and Francis Biden, and his sister Valerie Biden Owens. He also issued pardons to former White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci, who helped coordinate the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was just moments before Joe Biden's presidential term ended when he announced pardons for his siblings and their spouses.

Former President Joe Biden s decision to extend pardons to multiple family members just before the close of his presidency drew swift backlash from political opponents, including his successor

Joe Biden’s preemptive pardons are a valid use of pardon power. But they break new ground as a shield for those the president seeks to protect, scholars say.

Biden Monday issued several preemptive pardons, some to family members. Following the transition of power, Trump wielded his own clemency power.