President Joe Biden On Monday he issued a formal apology to three of his brothers and two of their wives, citing concerns that they would be targeted by “unfair and politically motivated investigations.”

The White House he announced the pardon minutes before the President-elect was to take office Donald Trump entered the Capitol Rotunda to sit sworn in as the next military leader.

The Monday before, Biden he was deliberately forgiven several other figures – incl Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley and members of Congress who investigated the January 6 Capitol riots – for similar reasons.

Biden’s final pardon team included his brother, James Biden; James’ wife, Sara Jones Biden; his younger sister, Valerie Biden Owens; Owens’ husband, John Owens; and his other brother, Francis Biden.

“The granting of these pardons should not be mistaken as an admission of wrongdoing, nor should an admission be construed as an admission of guilt in any crime,” Biden said in a statement.

He also pardoned Gerald Lundergan, former chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party, and former South Carolina Councilman Ernest Cromartie. The outgoing president also commuted the life sentence of Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of murdering two FBI agents in 1975.

Biden in early December issued a pardon to his son Hunter Bidenrepaying his insistence that it would not.

Hunter was convicted last year of a federal gun charge, and pleaded guilty to another charge related to tax fraud.

James Biden was interviewed last year by the House Oversight and Judiciary committees as part of their impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden.

“Jim and Sara Biden did not ask for this pardon because they have never committed any wrongdoing. But for the reasons the President explained, they accepted it,” Paul Fishman, attorney for James and Sara Biden, said in a statement.

In a press release on Monday, Mr. Biden said, “My family has been subjected to constant assaults and threats, out of an intent to hurt me — a deeply unpopular policy. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these threats will stop.”

“I believe in the rule of law, and I am hopeful that the power of our law will prevail over politics,” he said.

But baseless and politically motivated investigations destroy the lives, safety, and financial security of those targeted and their families. fame and fortune.”

“That is why I am exercising my authority under the Constitution to pardon James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden,” Biden said.

Trump criticized Biden after he announced the pardons of Fauci, Milley and the commission on January 6, calling it “disgraceful.”

“Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES! DJT,” Trump told NBC News’ Kristen Welker in a text message. Trump’s White House press office did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on Biden’s pardon of his family members.

While Biden’s blanket support of prior information breaks with tradition, it is common for presidents to issue pardons at the 11th hour.

President Bill Clinton pardoned his brother Roger Clinton, who was accused of drug abuse, on his last day in office.

Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, at the end of his first term.

Charles Kushner pleaded guilty in 2004 to filing false tax returns, witness tampering and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission.