President Joe Biden has only hours left in office before Donald Trump takes over at noon on Monday. AP
President Joe Biden has only hours left in office before Donald Trump takes over at noon on Monday. AP
President Joe Biden has only hours left in office before Donald Trump takes over at noon on Monday. AP
President Joe Biden has only hours left in office before Donald Trump takes over at noon on Monday. AP

Biden issues last-minute pardons for people who could become targets under Donald Trump


Jihan Abdalla
  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest on Donald Trump’s inauguration

President Joe Biden issued last-minute pardons on Monday, using the powers of his office to guard against what he called potential “revenge” from the incoming Donald Trump administration.

With only hours left in the White House, Mr Biden issued pre-emptive pardons for five members of his family, citing “unrelenting attacks” from Mr Trump and his allies.

The list includes his brother, James, and his wife, Sara; his sister, Valerie, and her husband, John Owens and his other brother, Francis.

“My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me – the worst kind of partisan politics,” Mr Biden said in a statement. “Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end.”

Earlier on Monday morning, Mr Biden issued pardons for Anthony Fauci, retired army general Mark Milley, as well members of the House of Representatives committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

“The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgement that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offence,” Mr Biden said in a statement. “Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.”

The decision comes as many worry that Mr Trump will seek revenge on those who have opposed him politically or sought to hold him accountable for his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Mr Trump has said he would pardon those charged in the Capitol attack.

Dr Fauci was director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during Mr Trump's first term and became the face of the US response to the Covid pandemic. He later served as Mr Biden's chief medical adviser until 2022. He often was at odds with Mr Trump and has come under intense criticism from conservatives who opposed mask and vaccination mandates.

L-R: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, Senator Adam Schiff, Dr Anthony Fauci and former representative Liz Cheney. AFP
L-R: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, Senator Adam Schiff, Dr Anthony Fauci and former representative Liz Cheney. AFP

Gen Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was also often at odds with Mr Trump and has criticised his conduct on January 6. He has also called him a fascist.

Departing American presidents are able to issue pardons and clemency, but those are usually reserved for people who have committed crimes. Last month, Mr Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, sparing him conviction or prison time over federal felony gun and tax convictions.

It remains unclear whether those pardoned on Monday will need to apply for the clemency or whether they will accept the pardons, which usually imply an admission of guilt.

“These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing,” Mr Biden said in the statement. “Even when individuals have done nothing wrong – and in fact have done the right thing – and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances.”

Match info:

Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')

Morocco 0

WE%20NO%20LONGER%20PREFER%20MOUNTAINS
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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

How it works

1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground

2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water

3) One application is said to last five years

4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare 

Emiratisation at work

Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago

It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.

Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers

The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension

President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.

During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development

More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics

The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens

UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere

The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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Favourite things

Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery

Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount

University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China

Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai

Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China

Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs

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%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Janeen%20Damian%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Lindsay%20Lohan%2C%20Chord%20Overstreet%2C%20Jack%20Wagner%2C%20Aliana%20Lohan%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Stage results

1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep  4:39:05

2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08

3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time 

4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t  

5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t  

6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t 

7. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ s.t

8. Sergio Higuita Garcia (COL) EF Education-Nippo s.t     

9. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek-Segafredo  s.t

10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers s.t

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Superliminal%20
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

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KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

Why seagrass matters
  • Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
  • Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
  • Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
  • Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
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BANGLADESH SQUAD

Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (vice captain), Mohammad Mithun, Sabbir Rahaman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

Updated: January 23, 2025, 4:09 PM