President Joe Biden’s decision to issue an unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, for tax and firearm-related convictions has triggered backlash from both sides of the political aisle, including members of his own Democratic Party.
The Biden administration defended the controversial move, claiming Hunter was a victim of politically motivated persecution. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated, “Republicans would have continued targeting his son,” during a press briefing aboard Air Force One en route to Angola. She also noted that previous presidents had pardoned family members under similar circumstances.
For instance, former President Donald Trump pardoned several political allies and donors, including Charles Kushner, father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Similarly, President Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother, Roger, in 2001 to clear his criminal record following a cocaine-related conviction.
Allegations of Misusing Presidential Power
Critics argue that Biden’s pardon may tarnish his legacy, with accusations of leveraging presidential powers to shield a family member from justice. Hunter Biden faced up to 17 years for tax charges and 25 years for gun-related offenses, though sentencing guidelines suggested a significantly shorter term. His sentencing was scheduled for later this month.
Throughout Biden’s presidency, Hunter’s foreign business dealings raised suspicions of potential misuse of his father’s political influence for personal gain.
Republican President-elect Donald Trump condemned the pardon, describing it as a “miscarriage of justice.” On social media, Trump questioned whether the pardon would extend to those prosecuted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol attack, calling the move an abuse of power.
Reaction from Lawmakers
House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Biden for reversing his earlier pledge not to pardon his son. “President Biden insisted he wouldn’t pardon Hunter for his crimes. Yet, he granted a ‘Full and Unconditional Pardon’ covering more than a decade of offenses,” Johnson remarked.
Representative Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, questioned the timing of the pardon, linking it to the ongoing impeachment inquiry into the president.
Prominent Democrats also expressed disapproval. Representative Ro Khanna emphasized the need to reform presidential pardon powers, stating, “As a father, I empathize with President Biden, but we must champion reform to prevent the misuse of such authority.”
Congressman Greg Stanton commented, “While I respect President Biden, I believe this decision was wrong. Hunter committed serious crimes and was convicted by a jury of his peers.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis echoed similar sentiments, accusing Biden of prioritizing his family over the nation’s interests. “This sets a troubling precedent and will unfortunately tarnish the president’s reputation,” Polis said.
White House Defends Decision
The White House reiterated that the pardon was aimed at protecting Hunter Biden from politically motivated actions by opponents. According to Jean-Pierre, President Biden agonized over the decision during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with his family on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.
“This was not an easy decision for the president. He carefully weighed the implications before moving forward,” Jean-Pierre told reporters.
Despite the justification, the pardon has reignited debates over the limits of presidential power and its implications for accountability and justice.
