From Lincoln to Biden: Presidential Pardons for Relatives Through History

President Joe Biden, in the final days of his presidency, issued a pardon for his son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted earlier in the year on federal firearms and tax charges. Hunter was scheduled to appear in Delano, California, where he faced the prospect of significant prison time.

“No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son—and that is wrong,” Biden stated in defense of his decision.

What Is a Presidential Pardon?

A presidential pardon is an executive power that enables the President to exempt a convicted individual from serving their sentence in whole or in part. This authority is often exercised to correct perceived injustices or offer clemency.

Examples of U.S. Presidents Pardoning Family Members

Several past presidents have used this authority to benefit family members:

• Abraham Lincoln: Pardoned a cousin of his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, who supported the Confederacy during the Civil War.
• Bill Clinton: Issued a pardon in 2001 for his half-brother, Roger Clinton, who had been convicted of drug-related offenses. This was part of Clinton’s controversial “midnight pardons.”
• George H.W. Bush: Granted clemency to his son Neil Bush, implicated in the Silverado Savings and Loan scandal. The decision drew criticism as an example of favoritism.
• Jimmy Carter: Pardoned his brother, Billy Carter, who faced financial scandals linked to Libya. The move reduced political damage from the controversy.
• Donald Trump: While Trump did not pardon any family members, there was speculation he might issue preemptive pardons for his children, such as Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, though this did not occur.

President Biden’s pardon of Hunter Biden adds to the history of presidents exercising their clemency powers in matters involving family.