Biden pardons family members minutes before leaving office

• It's an extraordinary move that shields members of the Biden family from any efforts by the new administration to prosecute them.
• Follow Axios' live Inauguration Day coverage here.

Driving the news: Biden pardoned his brothers, James and Francis Biden, his sister, Valerie Biden, and their spouses.

• "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," Biden said in a statement.

What he's saying: "My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me—the worst kind of partisan politics," Biden said in the White House announcement.

• "Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end."

Zoom out: Biden earlier on Monday issued preemptive pardons for former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci and members of the House Jan. 6 committee, including former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.).

• Biden also pardoned retired Army Gen. Mark Milley earlier on Monday.

Flashback: Joe Biden pardons Hunter Biden

Editor's note: This a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.