Morning Wire Podcast Summary: “Schweitzer: Truth Behind Biden’s Family Pardons” | January 26, 2025
Hosted by John Bickley and Georgia Howe, “Morning Wire” delves into the dramatic and controversial preemptive pardons issued by President Joe Biden to his family members. In this episode, John Bickley engages in a comprehensive discussion with Peter Schweitzer, bestselling author and President of the Government Accountability Institute, uncovering the layers of political strategy, legal implications, and potential corruption surrounding these unprecedented actions.
Introduction: The Shocking Pardons
The episode opens with a startling revelation: President Joe Biden, in the final minutes of his presidency, issued preemptive pardons for five of his family members, reigniting intense scrutiny and allegations of corruption within the Biden family.
Joe Biden (00:03): “In the final minutes of his presidency, Joe Biden shocked the political world by issuing preemptive pardons for several of his own family members. The move has sparked renewed calls for investigations into Biden family corruption.”
John Bickley sets the stage for the discussion, highlighting the gravity of the situation and introducing Peter Schweitzer as a key figure in analyzing these developments.
John Bickley (00:16): “In this episode, we sit down with best selling author Peter Schweitzer to discuss the unprecedented Biden family pardons and Republicans plans to follow the money.”
Unprecedented Nature of the Pardons
Peter Schweitzer underscores the historic significance of these pardons, emphasizing their uniqueness in American political history.
Peter Schweitzer (01:23): “There's no example in American history of a family member of a sitting president being pardoned, no less. Five members of the family, or six if you include Hunter. Also, these sort of preemptive pardons are really unprecedented as well, and those will probably be tested in court.”
Schweitzer highlights that not only is the act itself unprecedented, but the scope and timing of the pardons—issued preemptively before any charges—are also without precedent.
Details of the Pardoned Family Members and Their Connections
The discussion delves into the specifics of the pardoned individuals, revealing their ties to various limited liability companies (LLCs) that have received substantial foreign investments.
Peter Schweitzer (01:56): “These are essentially his siblings and their spouses and his son and his daughter. And what's significant is all six of these people are individuals that are connected to LLCs, these limited liability companies that the family had multiple listings of. And these are entities that all received money from these foreign entities.”
Schweitzer points out that the pardons specifically mention crimes occurring after January 1, 2014, a period marked by significant foreign dealings involving China, Ukraine, and Russia.
Peter Schweitzer (01:40): “They receive money from these foreign entities. It's also important to point out, John, that each one of these pardons, whether it's Hunter or the other five family members, the pardon specifically mentions any crimes that occurred beginning after January 1st of 2014.”
Implications for Joe Biden: Self-Protection and Influence Peddling
Schweitzer argues that the pardons not only protect family members but also shield President Biden himself from potential investigations into influence peddling.
Peter Schweitzer (03:35): “It's self serving, not just something beneficial to his family… it provides a guardrail of protection for him as well.”
This strategic move is seen as a means to safeguard Biden from any allegations of involvement in corruption, especially given his meetings with individuals linked to questionable foreign investments.
Evidence and Allegations of Biden Family Corruption
Peter Schweitzer presents compelling evidence pointing towards possible corruption within the Biden family, citing substantial foreign funds received without clear legitimacy.
Peter Schweitzer (03:43): “They have collected tens of millions of dollars, some $31 million from these foreign entities and there's no evidence of them giving anything legitimate in return.”
He emphasizes the lack of transparency and the suspicious nature of large financial transactions, particularly those involving foreign governments that are often hostile to the United States.
Peter Schweitzer (08:22): “This is globalized corruption… foreign governments… giving money to our elected officials and getting something in return.”
Legal Challenges and Impact on Investigations
The pardons face significant legal challenges, with many experts questioning their breadth and validity. Schweitzer discusses how these pardons might be overturned or challenged in court.
Peter Schweitzer (05:06): “It's going to be challenged in court… a lot of legal scholars that say this just simply is too broad because you could essentially, under this construct, provide blanket immunity for a murder that was not discovered until later on.”
Despite the pardons, Congressional investigations are expected to continue, as pardons do not equate to immunity from scrutiny or civil investigations.
Peter Schweitzer (05:06): “Absolutely. They can continue to investigate.”
Republican Plans: “Follow the Money” Initiative
Schweitzer outlines the Republican strategy to intensify investigations into the Biden family’s financial dealings, emphasizing a thorough examination of foreign funds and their intended purposes.
Peter Schweitzer (10:18): “I expect a lot of activities in the House of Representatives and I think in the Department of Justice in the next several weeks… what actually transpired and what these Chinese, Russian and Ukrainian entities actually got in exchange for sending millions of dollars to Joe Biden's family.”
He highlights the role of key figures like Jim Comer in leading these investigative efforts, aiming to uncover the true extent of corruption and prevent future occurrences.
National Security Risks from Foreign Influence
A significant concern raised is the potential national security threat posed by foreign entities exerting financial influence over American officials.
Peter Schweitzer (08:22): “When we think of corruption… we're talking about foreign governments… hostile to the United States… giving money to our elected officials and getting something in return.”
Schweitzer warns that such “globalized corruption” can undermine American governance and security, stressing the urgency of addressing these issues to maintain national integrity.
Future Outlook: Congressional and DOJ Actions
Looking ahead, Schweitzer anticipates a surge in investigative actions from both Congress and the Department of Justice under the new leadership of Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Peter Schweitzer (10:18): “...the Department of Justice needs to investigate this. This is not about retribution… it's simply trying to get clarification and facts of what actually transpired.”
He expects meticulous reviews and potential legal actions against individuals like Tony Fauci for alleged misconduct, demonstrating the administration's commitment to rooting out corruption.
Biden Family’s Potential Responses and Future Activities
The episode concludes with Schweitzer speculating on the Biden family’s likely responses to the ongoing investigations, suggesting they might either withdraw from public life or strive to maintain their political relevance.
Peter Schweitzer (11:32): “One of the unanswered questions about the Biden family… any crimes that would have been committed in 2024 would be covered as well… what does that mean? Well, that could be the Hunter Biden art deals that were very controversial.”
He raises concerns about their future dealings and the possibility of continued financial manipulations to sustain their influence and economic standing.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
John Bickley wraps up the discussion by emphasizing the importance of continued investigations to uncover the truth behind the Biden family’s financial activities and prevent future corruption. He underscores the paramount need for transparency and accountability in governance.
John Bickley (12:43): “Intriguing questions and hopefully we do get some answers and Congress does pursue what I think the American people deserve to know has actually happened here.”
Peter Schweitzer echoes this sentiment, reinforcing the necessity of diligent investigative efforts to uphold the integrity of American political institutions.
Final Thoughts
This episode of “Morning Wire” provides a thorough examination of the controversial pardons issued by President Biden, exploring their unprecedented nature, the potential corruption within the Biden family, and the broader implications for American governance and national security. Through insightful analysis and pointed discussions, John Bickley and Peter Schweitzer shed light on the urgent need for accountability and systemic reforms to combat corruption and preserve democratic integrity.