The decision, which was first reported by NBC News, is a reversal for the president, who repeatedly said he would not use his authority to pardon his son or commute his sentence.
Summary
President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, reversing his prior stance against using executive clemency.
The pardon covers Hunter’s federal gun conviction and tax evasion guilty plea, sparking political controversy.
Biden cited political attacks and a “miscarriage of justice” as reasons for his decision, emphasizing his son’s recovery from addiction and the targeting of his family.
Critics argue the move undermines the judicial process, while supporters view it as within Biden’s constitutional powers.
This decision shields Hunter from potential prison time as Biden nears the end of his presidency.
Reading through these comments and seeing people excuse this because trump is worse validates the race-to-the-bottom strategy that republicans and democrats cooperate on. Republicans will keep lowering the bar while democrats will continue hovering slightly above that bar as their only differentiator and we're all on the ride on the way down.
The gun crime is bullshit. That law isn't enforced on anyone. It's also probably unconstitutional if you follow the conservative understanding of that amendment (which is complete bullshit, but that's beside the point).
Tax evasion, sure. That maybe shouldn't be pardoned but also it's only an issue because he's the president's son. I don't dismiss this, but also I recognize that it's mostly bullshit Republicans drummed up because they couldn't get anything on Biden.
I will point out to every conservative who defends Trump who says anything about this though. Trump is literally a convicted felon, and multiple cases are being dismissed because he was elected. If they think Hunter shouldn't get off free, then they better have some strong reasons Trump should.
You do have to remember that most of us didn't give a fuck about this supposed crime to begin with. I mean who Among Us hasn't lied to the government about our drug history?
Also should mention that it's clearly unconstitutional by the way.
No, its just being a realist. Trump owns the federal courts, since he can just appeal to his hand selected SCOTUS. Who have already ruled everything Trump does is legal.
I care about the wealthy and powerful being above the law while working class people get the shaft. Democrats claimed to be concerned about this too. But I guess it was all partisan theatre.
But the only reason he was being prosecuted was because of his connection to Biden. An average working class person would never have been charged with this crime in the first place.
I care about the wealthy and powerful being above the law
This is the opposite of what happened. Hunter was only prosecuted because he was BELOW THE LAW. An ordinary person wouldn't have been prosecuted for buying a gun.
Don't tell me if you knew the threat to democracy who had a personal vendetta against you and your child was following you in office and has threatened and made blind accusations multiple times that you would NOT pardon them. Biden did the right thing as a parent and a mildly objectionable thing on a moral standpoint politically which... just fuck off with that. I don't wanna hear about morality from the party that constantly defends rapist and child abusers
I don't want to hear about morality regarding biden and his full-throated support of genocide. He said he wouldn't pardon his son and that he believed in the rule of law, but when it comes down to it, he goes ahead and pardons him because he ultimately knows the institutions he has fought so hard to defend are full of shit. Us peasants are still supposed to be held under the power of these institutions, though, and he has done nothing to change that. In fact, he's played a big hand in making it as bad as it is now with his tough on crime stance.
Is not a race to bottom. It is just the most clear indication that the American system of governance has massive flaws and, as a set of institutions, the system has no way to protect itself from abuse.
Reading through these comments and seeing people excuse this because trump is worse validates the race-to-the-bottom strategy that republicans and democrats cooperate on.
No, you don't seem to understand. The race to the bottom strategy was a Republican thing. But now that we know that's how you win in America, some of us are supporting that strategy for Democrats as well.
I'm on board with that, but democrats refuse to take advantage of their power for our sake. He's just doing this for his own sake. This selfishness is what allowed trump a second term, since democrats would've had a much better chance if biden stepped down earlier and allowed for a proper primary.
but democrats refuse to take advantage of their power for our sake.
I agree that they could do more. But I also acknowledge that they've done WAY more for us than the Republican party has. I don't vote for perfect. I vote for better.
He’s just doing this for his own sake.
I'm ok with him pardoning his son. First of all, Trump threatened to go after his political opponents if he won. That's a threat to Biden's son. So Biden did something about it. Secondly, Biden was, by all metrics, a solid president. And Americans told him and his party to fuck off and re-hired a twice impeached convicted felon and rapist who incited an insurrection and illegally attempted to overturn an election. We treated Biden like shit. He doesn't owe us anything additional. I think it's fine to take this small victory to protect his son from unwarranted threats and then retire.
since democrats would’ve had a much better chance if biden stepped down earlier
I agree. But I also have a pretty low opinion of Americans, so I don't know if it would have mattered in the end.
It is wild how they willing to defend their side no matter what. This is absolute abuse of power regardless of detail.
Again, it is understandable and expected, but still abuse of power.