President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, during his final weeks in office has drawn widespread criticism, potentially tarnishing his legacy and eroding public trust in the U.S. government.
With less than two months remaining before leaving the White House to hand over power to President-elect Donald Trump, Biden made the controversial move to grant a comprehensive pardon to his son, reversing previous statements that he would not do so. The pardon covers charges related to Hunter's tax and firearm violations as well as any potential offenses against the United States committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024.
The sweeping, unconditional pardon quickly sparked backlash from both allies and opponents. Some Democratic lawmakers expressed personal sympathy for Biden’s decision to protect his only surviving son but raised concerns about the broader implications. Representative Jared Golden, a Democrat, wrote on social media that such a far-reaching pardon for a family member "sets a troubling precedent, undermining trust in the presidency."
Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, also a Democrat, commented that Biden’s actions reinforce the perception among voters that "powerful individuals often receive special treatment," contrary to the values Biden has championed throughout his political career.
Biden has consistently emphasized that "no one is above the law" and prided himself on promoting fairness and democratic principles. However, the pardon for his son, despite being seen by some as a father’s act of compassion, undercuts these claims. Critics argue the president had little choice in the matter, given Hunter's legal troubles. In June, Hunter was convicted on three serious charges for purchasing a handgun while struggling with drug addiction in 2018 and faced sentencing on December 12. In September, he admitted to nine additional charges of evading $1.4 million in taxes while spending excessively on drugs, sex workers, and luxury goods.
"As a father, I understand his actions. But if you want people to trust the government, this decision is a failure," said Democratic Representative Greg Landsman of Ohio.
"This decision prioritizes personal interest over duty, eroding Americans' trust that our justice system is fair and impartial," Democratic Senator Michael Bennet added.
Explaining his decision, President Biden pointed to a plea deal Hunter had reached with prosecutors in 2023, which later fell apart. Biden blamed "political pressure from opponents" for the deal’s collapse, though the presiding judge rejected it on procedural grounds.
Republicans seized on the opportunity to criticize Biden for breaking his earlier promises to avoid interfering in Hunter’s case. They accused him of weaponizing the justice system, a claim frequently directed at President-elect Trump. Trump responded on social media by calling for the pardon of those who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, arguing that they deserve similar leniency. Trump has also hinted during his campaign at potentially pardoning members of extremist groups involved in the Capitol riot, such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
Representative James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee who has led investigations into Hunter Biden, denounced the pardon as a move by the Biden family to evade accountability.
"Faith in our justice system is nearly irreparably damaged following Biden’s decision and their misuse of it," said House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Biden's reversal on pardoning his son has led Republicans to accuse the president of deceiving the public ahead of the election. While the White House sought to portray the decision as a difficult and personal one, analysts argue the move undermines longstanding norms about the independence of the judiciary and provides Republicans with ammunition to push for federal reforms.
President-elect Trump, who has pledged sweeping reforms of the justice system, has already signaled his intent by nominating loyal allies to key roles. Kash Patel, Trump's pick for FBI director, has openly criticized federal agencies and vowed to dismantle the so-called "deep state." Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has been tapped for attorney general, reinforcing Trump’s hardline stance on justice reform.
"Joe Biden was elected to bring stability after chaos, restore institutions, and uphold norms. His late-term pardon casts a shadow over all of that," said Timothy Naftali, a presidential historian at Columbia University.
Nonetheless, Biden’s close allies argue the decision was deeply personal. They note that the president has long watched Hunter struggle to rebuild his life after years of addiction and feared ongoing attacks and investigations could jeopardize his recovery. With less than two months left in office, Biden saw the pardon as his last chance to protect his son.
"I don’t think this was an easy decision for Joe Biden. But it’s a profoundly personal one, and the cost has been significant," said Democratic Senator Doug Jones, a longtime ally and friend of Biden.
(According to Washington Post, Politico)
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