Incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden recently pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, on December 1st. Hunter was convicted with federal gun charges and plead guilty to federal charges of tax evasion. Biden had stated previously that he would not pardon his son, but stated that he felt that his son had been unfairly targeted against political rivals. Both the Republican and Democrat parties are uneasy about the pardon, Democrats being concerned about the implications it holds for future pardons by president elect Donald Trump. The Democratic party worried about future pardons for Trump’s cabinet and participants on January 6th.
Throughout Biden’s presidency, Hunter had been a stain on his legacy and dealings as Republicans and other political rivals jumped at any chance to point out his son’s wrongdoings. Hunter had also been involved in financial dealing with China and Ukraine. After his brother’s death, Hunter had begun using drugs like crack cocaine and engaging in other self-destructive behaviors like drinking. Lying about his drug use on a federal form to obtain a gun led to him gaining a federal gun charge.
Joe Biden’s statement on the pardon was, “Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted.” He also mentions in his White House statement that politics had interfered with the carrying out of justice for his son and calls for an understanding on why he would make this decision as both a father and a President.
Donald Trump provided a statement on the affairs, “Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” He uses Biden’s words in his statement against him, stating that this pardon is the true miscarriage of justice. This escalates fears from the Democratic Party that Trump will abuse his powers and obstruct justice in office with his presidential pardons.
