Francis W. Biden James B. Biden Sara Jones Biden John T. Owens Valerie Biden Owens
Pardon by Joseph R. Biden Jr.
The Case
Facts on file from the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney
- Offense
- For any nonviolent offenses against the United States which they may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014, through the date of this pardon.
- District
- N/A
- Original Sentence
- N/A
- Clemency Type
- Pardon — full forgiveness, restores civil rights
Case Overview & Context
Plain-English summary of the case and the legal context for this type of clemency
Case Overview
This clemency grants a pardon for nonviolent offenses committed by Francis W. Biden, James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, John T. Owens, and Valerie Biden Owens between January 1, 2014, and the date of the pardon. The offenses are not specified in this data.
Pardon Context
A pardon is an executive action that forgives a federal crime, restoring certain rights and obligations to the recipient. Unlike a commutation, which alters the sentence while maintaining the original conviction on record, a pardon removes the criminal record and its associated legal consequences. This action signifies a formal declaration that the offenses should not be prosecuted, effectively ending any further legal repercussions stemming from these past actions. The president's personal reasoning for this specific grant is not publicly documented.
AI-generated summary based on public clemency records. The president's specific personal reasoning for this grant is not publicly documented.
Constitutional authority: Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution grants the President “Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States.” This power is absolute for federal crimes — Congress cannot override it, and no judicial review is required. The president is not required to publish reasons for individual grants.