[UNITED STATES] Joe Biden has been chastised by some of his own supporters for awarding a pardon to his son Hunter, something he had previously promised not to grant.
The president's volte face sparked inevitable criticism from Republicans, led by President-elect Donald Trump, who used it to highlight the issue of the jailed ringleaders of the January 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol, whom he has said he may pardon when he returns to the White House.
The pardon has reignited debates about the use of presidential powers and the ethical implications of such decisions. Legal experts have weighed in, with some arguing that while the pardon is within Biden's constitutional rights, it raises questions about the appearance of favoritism and potential abuse of power. Critics argue that this move could set a dangerous precedent for future administrations, potentially encouraging a quid pro quo system where family members or close associates might expect similar treatment.
"Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. However, censure from other Democrats - some of whom claimed he had given Trump legitimacy for his own use of the presidential pardon power - appeared to have more sting.
Jared Polis, Colorado's Democratic governor, claimed Biden jeopardized his own reputation and legacy. "While as a father I certainly understand President @JoeBiden's natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country," Polis wrote on Twitter.
This is a horrible precedent that might be utilized by future Presidents and will unfortunately ruin his reputation.
The controversy surrounding Hunter Biden's pardon has also brought renewed attention to the broader issue of political dynasties in American politics. Critics argue that this incident exemplifies the potential pitfalls of having family members closely involved in or benefiting from political power. Some political analysts suggest that this could fuel public cynicism about the fairness of the political system and potentially impact voter trust in institutions.
"When you become President, you will serve as the nation's pater familias. Hunter imposed the legal problems on himself, and one may sympathize with his troubles while also understanding that no one is above the law, not even the President or his son."
Hunter Biden was convicted by a Delaware court last June of lying on a weapons license application while addicted to cocaine. He was eventually found guilty of separate tax evasion charges in a California court.
He was expected to be sentenced on both crimes this month. Biden justified his pardon by arguing that Hunter's prosecutions were motivated by "raw politics" and would not have been pursued if his father had not been president.
Greg Stanton, a Democratic House member from Arizona, rejected that interpretation. "I respect President Biden, but I think he got this one wrong," he wrote on social media.
The timing of the pardon has also raised eyebrows among political observers. With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, some speculate that this decision could have significant ramifications for Biden's campaign. Political strategists are divided on whether this move will galvanize Biden's base or alienate moderate voters who may view it as an abuse of power. The incident has also provided fodder for opposition campaigns, potentially shifting the focus of political discourse away from policy issues and towards questions of ethics and family favoritism.
"It was not a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies and was found guilty by a jury of his peers."
Michael Bennet, a Democratic senator from Colorado, was among those who urged Biden to step down as the party's presidential contender last summer after a poor debate performance.
"President Biden's decision put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans' faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all," he said in a statement.
Vermont Democratic Senator Peter Welch stated the pardon was "as the action of a loving father, understandable - but as the action of our nation's Chief Executive, unwise".
In a similar vein, Greg Landsman, a Democratic congressman from Ohio, wrote: "As a father, I understand. But for someone who wants people to believe in public service again, this is a setback."
Joe Walsh, an anti-Trump former Republican congressman who endorsed Biden for president, described the pardon as demoralizing since it allowed Trump to rationalize his own widely criticized pardons of friends and allies.
"This just furthers the cynicism that people have about politics," he said on MSNBC. "That skepticism boosts Trump because he can simply state: 'I'm not a unique threat. Everyone does this. If I do something for my child or son-in-law, Joe Biden does the same thing. I understand, but Biden's move was selfish and only served to strengthen Trump politically."
Jonathan Chait of the Atlantic magazine stated that the president had damaged the democratic norms he had previously advocated. "Principles become much harder to defend when their most famous defenders have compromised them flagrantly," he claimed.
"With the pardon decision, like his stubborn insistence on running for a second term he couldn't win, Biden chose to prioritize his own feelings over the defense of his country."
Some Democrats jumped to Biden's defence. "Hunter. This is the reality. No US [attorney] would have charged this case given the underlying facts," wrote Eric Holder, the attorney general under Barack Obama, on X.
The controversy has also sparked discussions about the broader implications for the Democratic Party and its messaging. Some party strategists worry that this incident could undermine the Democrats' platform of transparency and accountability in government. There are concerns that it might make it more challenging for the party to criticize similar actions by political opponents in the future, potentially weakening their moral high ground on issues of governmental ethics and the rule of law.
"Had his name been Joe Smith, the resolution would have been a declination. Pardon is justified." Jasmine Crockett, a Texas member of the House of Representatives, went on to remark, "Let me be the first to congratulate the President." "At the end of the day, we know that we have a 34-count convicted felon who is about to walk into the White House," she told MSNBC, alluding to Trump's conviction in a New York court on document falsification charges stemming from hush money given to a porn actress.
In reference to allegations against Trump's cabinet nominees, she stated, "For anyone that wants to clutch their pearls now because [Biden] decided to pardon his son, I would say take a look in the mirror because we also know that this cabinet has more people accused of sexual assault than any incoming cabinet probably in the history of America."
Sarah Longwell, another anti-Trump Republican strategist who backed Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, tweeted, "'Trump is worse' is never a good argument to justify bad behavior."
Biden understands it's wrong. That is why he repeatedly promised to not doing it. This does not make him the same as Trump. It does not change how thoroughly crooked Trump's current appointments are. It's simply wrong, and we should say so lest we forget that right and wrong exist, and that our President's comprehension of them is important.
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