President Biden's pardon of his son Hunter dismayed many political figures, including Democratic elected officials, who said they were concerned that the protections offered to the president's child could undermine trust in the criminal justice system.
Critics said Biden's actions could embolden President-elect Donald Trump to pardon his allies, including the hundreds of people who invaded the U.S. Capitol in 2021, hoping to overturn Trump's loss to Biden in the 2020 election.
Others defended Hunter Biden's pardon, saying the president was protecting his son from a campaign of retaliation that Trump had promised against his political opponents.
The elder Biden issued the pardon on Sunday, sparing his 54-year-old son a possible prison sentence on federal gun and tax convictions. The president had previously promised not to pardon his son.
“President Biden’s decision puts personal interests above duty and undermines Americans’ trust that the justice system is fair and equal for all,” US Senator Michael Bennet (Democrat of Colorado) wrote on the social media site on Monday X
Colorado The Democratic governor agreed.
“While as a father I certainly understand President @JoeBiden's natural desire to help his son by pardoning him,” Gov. Jared Polis wrote on X, “I am disappointed that he has put his family before the country.” This is a bad precedent that could be abused by future presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation.”
Polis noted Hunter Biden's struggles as a recovering drug addict, adding, “Hunter brought the legal issues he faced upon himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles while also acknowledging that no one is above the law , not a president and not the son of a president.” .”
One of the state's Democratic congressmen also called the pardon “a mistake.”
“Presidents have tremendous power and responsibility and must be held to a higher standard.” Rep. Jason Crow wrote on X. “They must inspire trust and promote the American people’s faith in their democracy. And right now, one of our most important tasks is to maintain the fabric of our democracy.”
Others wondered how Biden could justify his actions without pardoning others who had suffered more.
“There are a number of destroyed homes and broken families as a result of convictions for some of the crimes of which Hunter was just acquitted. Where is their pardon?” Darvio Morrow, a radio entrepreneur wrote in an essayand said black men suffered disproportionately.
Several Republicans who had spoken out against Trump — including for what they called abuses of the rule of law — also criticized Biden.
“Biden is doing exactly the wrong thing by pardoning Hunter,” said John Bolton, a former national security adviser under Trump. wrote on X. “This now gives Trump license to pardon all of his supporters, including those from January 6th.”
Former Republican Rep. Joe Walsh told MSNBC he feared Trump would do this twisting the pardon for his own purposes.
“That just reinforces the cynicism that people have about politics, and that cynicism strengthens Trump because Trump can just say, 'I'm not a unique threat.' “Everyone does it,” Walsh said. “This was a selfish move by Biden that only strengthens Trump politically. It just deflates.”
In fact, social media sites were flooded with mashups on Monday Democrats and liberal commentators He insisted in the heat of the presidential campaign that Biden was on the wrong track by refusing to pardon his son.
Some Democrats defended Biden's actions, pointing out that Trump had his own challenges, including his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the hush-money case surrounding his relationship with porn star Stormy Daniels.
“If you defended the 34-time felon who committed sexual assault, stole national security documents, and attempted to stage a coup against his country…you can sit out the debate over pardoning Hunter Biden.” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) wrote on X
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) posted a video in which she claims that a Republican investigation in the House of Representatives spurred the prosecution of Hunter Biden.
“I will say, well done, Joe,” Crockett said. “Let me be the first to congratulate the president on this decision, because at the end of the day we know we have a 34-count convicted felon about to go to the White House.”
Hunter Biden was convicted in June in federal court in Delaware of three felonies for purchasing a gun in 2018, when, according to prosecutors, he lied on a federal form by claiming he had not used drugs illegally or was not addicted to drugs.
He pleaded guilty in California to misdemeanor charges in a case in which he was originally accused of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes.
Some Biden defenders said prosecutors took a particularly tough stance on the younger Biden to prove there was no favoritism.
Eric Holder, who served as attorney general under President Obama, posted on