5 Presidents & Governors Who Have Pardoned Family Members main image
Scroll Down To Continue

5 Presidents & Governors Who Have Pardoned Family Members

The presidential pardon (and its state governor counterpart) is a powerful tool with the potential for both justice and controversy. It has been wielded by presidents to absolve a wide range of federal offenses. Among those granted clemency, some have been family members of the presidents and governors themselves. This list delves into the cases of five U.S. presidents and state governors who have exercised their pardoning authority to benefit relatives, exploring the complexities and ethical considerations surrounding these decisions.

Pres. Joe Biden

Pres. Joe Biden

With only 7 weeks remaining in his presidential term, Joe Biden announed that he signed a full and unconditional pardon for his son Hunter. In previous statements, Biden had said he would neither pardon nor commute his son's sentence. Although, those statements were made before guilty verdicts were reached.

In June 2024, a federal jury convicted Hunter Biden on felony gun charges when he made false statements about his drug use while purchasing a firearm. Then in September 2024, Hunter Biden plead guilty to tax charges for failing to pay around $1.4 million in federal taxes. President Joe Biden issued the pardon before the sentencings for both cases were to be held.

Adam Schultz / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

Pres. Donald Trump

Pres. Donald Trump

In December 2020, President Donal Trump pardoned the father of his son-in-law. Jared Kushner's dad, Charles Kushner, had been convicted in 2005 for crimes including illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering. His case was infamous for its dramatic details.

After serving a two-year prison sentence, Charles Kushner returned to the business world and engaged in philanthropy. The pardon was granted after his son Jared served as a senior advisor to President Trump, along with his wife Ivanka, Trump's daughter.

Shaleah Craighead / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

Pres. Bill Clinton

Pres. Bill Clinton

In January 2001, President Bill Clinton issued a pardon for his half-brother Roger Clinton. It was part of a controversial wave of clemency actions during his final days in office. Roger had served a prison sentence in the 1980s following his conviction on charges related to cocaine distribution.

Although Roger had completed his sentence years earlier, the pardon effectively cleared his criminal record. This decision drew scrutiny due to the familial relationship and was part of broader investigations into President Clinton's end-of-term pardons.

Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Gov. Mike Beebe

Gov. Mike Beebe

In 2014, outgoing Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe pardoned his son, Kyle Beebe, for a 2003 felony marijuana conviction. At the time of the offense, Kyle was 22-years-old and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. He completed probation in 2006 and had his record sealed.

Marijuana-legalization adovcates praised the decision, along with the over 700 pardons for non-violent offenders that the governor made during his eight-year tenure. Detractors of the Democratic governor, however, cried foul at the preceived nepotism of the decision.

Keith Ingram / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Gov. Felix Perez Camacho

Gov. Felix Perez Camacho

During his tenure as Governor of Guam from 2003 to 2011, Felix Perez Camacho faced scrutiny for issuing controversial pardons. One notable case involved pardoning his brother-in-law Anthony Garcia, who was convicted of several theft charges and possession of drugs. Critics saw this move as a potential conflict of interest.

The pardon drew public attention as it appeared to leverage familial ties, though Camacho defended his decision by emphasizing that it followed established legal processes, including recommendations from Guam’s Pardon Review Board.

National Archives at College Park - Still Pictures / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons