Fact-Check: Did President Joe Biden Pardon Chinese Spies?

A claim that President Joe Biden pardoned two high-ranking Chinese spies and a relative of a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official as part of a prisoner swap with China emerged online, sparking controversy over the president's latest round of pardons issued just days before leaving office next month.

The story, first reported by the New York Post on December 13, alleged that the clemency deal secured the release of three Americans who had been detained in China for years. The report triggered widespread debate and criticism, with some viewing it as a significant concession to Beijing.

News of Biden's clemency for the Chinese nationals gained further attention after the White House said he had pardoned nearly 1,500 people on Thursday. However, the pardons announced yesterday were unrelated to the prisoner swap deal.