In one of his final acts as president, Joe Biden issued a blanket pardon for multiple members of his family amidst a wave of last-minute pardons and commutations.

Biden's decision to pardon his brother James Biden, was part of a broader set of clemency actions where he also pardoned other family members, including his sister Valerie Biden Owens, her husband John T. Owens, and another brother, Francis W. Biden. The president cited concerns about "baseless and politically motivated investigations" that could "wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families" as the rationale behind these actions.

James Biden has been at the center of several investigations due to his business dealings, though no charges have been filed against him. The pardons not only shield these individuals from potential future legal challenges but also remove any Fifth Amendment immunity if they are called to testify before Congress, potentially affecting how they interact with investigations or inquiries. 

In a statement, Biden emphasized that these pardons should not be misconstrued as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing by the recipients. "The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that they engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense," he stated.

The pardons were announced just minutes before Biden's term ended, with Donald Trump set to be sworn in as president. This action follows Biden's previous controversial pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of gun and tax crimes, highlighting a pattern of familial clemency at the end of Biden's term. 

This unprecedented preemptive move by Biden raise significant questions regarding any impropriety committed by the people pardoned. There has been wide and sustained speculation that the Biden family was using Joe Biden’s political connections for personal enrichment after Hunter Biden’s laptop came to light discussing giving “The Big Guy” (thought to be Joe Biden) a cut of the money made.

In his final hours as president, Joe Biden also issued a series of preemptive pardons, giving individuals who have been vocal critics of the incoming Trump administration legal immunity from prosecution. Among those pardoned were Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Gen. Mark Milley, who retired from his role as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Trump: “The Golden Age Of America Begins Right Now”

President Donald Trump, in his second inaugural address, declared Monday as "Liberation Day" and promised a "revolution of common sense" to address what he described as the failures of the previous administration.

Trump, used his speech to critique past administration’s policies on immigration, energy, and economic management. "We will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense," he stated.

Trump announced plans to sign multiple executive orders on his first day in office, including one to declare a national emergency on energy policy. He aimed to tackle what he called "massive overspending" and "escalating energy prices," which he attributed to the previous administration's policies indicating immediate action on these issues.

He also pledged to strengthen border security, reversing policies of the Biden administration. Trump's agenda includes reducing the federal workforce and eliminating diversity programs, themes he touched upon during a rally at Capital One Arena the day prior.

Trump also  announced:

• Members of the military who were “unjustly expelled from our military for objecting to the COVID vaccine mandate” would be reinstated.

• The pursuit of the United States to expand space exploration saying that “We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.”

Trump’s American Heritage First Agenda

President-elect Donald Trump plans to issue executive orders to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali on his first day in office, according to sources familiar with the matter.

On Monday, Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," a move he described as honoring "American greatness." This decision comes amidst a series of actions intended to mark his administration's start. The Gulf of Mexico, bordered by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba, has been known by its current name for over four centuries.

Additionally, Trump aims to restore the name "Mount McKinley" to Alaska's highest peak, reversing an earlier decision by President Barack Obama in 2015 to rename it Denali, which means "The Great One" in the Athabaskan language. This change was largely symbolic, reflecting a tribute to indigenous culture but has been a point of contention among some of Trump's supporters who favor reverting to historical names.

The renaming of these two significant geographical features is part of a broader initiative by Trump to assert American identity and heritage.