Biden Supporters Slam Hunter Biden Pardon Decision: 'Utter Bullsh*t!'

[army judge]

High-profile Democratic talking heads and supporters of President Joe Biden slammed his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday as one that gave President-elect Donald Trump a "precedent" to pardon his own allies.
On Sunday evening, Biden issued a pardon for his son relating to gun charges and tax crimes. Biden previously said he would not interfere in the Justice Department's prosecution of Hunter by issuing him a pardon.

In the statement, Biden claimed his own DOJ weaponized as well as "selectively" and "unfairly" prosecuted his son. The pardon also clears Hunter of any other "offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024."

In response, some MAGA conservatives predictably issued calls for Trump to pardon the January 6 Capitol rioters, and Democrats and Biden's allies in media and politics blasted the decision.

MSNBC contributor Charlie Sykes quoted a "smart person" that texted him, agreeing that Trump probably can't "believe his own dumb fucking luck at this point."

The Atlantic's deputy executive editor Yoni Applebaum quoted an article by his publication's newest addition, Jonathan Chait, who said Biden "chose to prioritize his own feelings over the defense of his country."

Journalists also called out the decision from Biden, noting its hypocrisy as well as the fact that it contradicted Biden's earlier claim he would not pardon his son. Chris Cillizza called the move "colossally selfish," while Nate Silver accused the White House of "lying" about the pardon.

The left wasn't united on the point, though. Push back came from other progressives, including CNN contributor Bakari Sellers who dismissed the moral panic and pointed out that Trump didn't need the Hunter Biden pardon to permit any of his actions.

Biden Supporters Slam Hunter Biden Pardon Decision: ‘Utter Bullsh*t!’

Biden supporters slammed his decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden on Sunday as one that gave Trump a “precedent” to pardon his own allies.

www.mediaite.com

 

[stealthy1]

Donnie doesn't need a precedent. If anything, he's the one who set it with his prior nepo-pardons.

 

[stealthy1]

Understanding T***p's pardon abuses.

 

[Tax Counsel]

On Sunday evening, Biden issued a pardon for his son relating to gun charges and tax crimes. Biden previously said he would not interfere in the Justice Department's prosecution of Hunter by issuing him a pardon.

Not surprising to me. Biden may not have liked what his son had done, but as a father he would want to spare his son the hardships that he'd face with felony federal convictions. So I understand the very personal reason Biden had for making the pardon even though I believe it was an unprincipled decision.

The pardon power is solely that of the president and it has become rather common among recent presidents of both parties for the president to use that power at the end of their terms to benefit political supporters, allies, and family members. It's always a bad look for presidents to do it, but that's the only downside for an outgoing president to issue these kinds of pardons. There is no legal or even political consequence that the president need be concerned about. I have little doubt that in the closing weeks of Trump's presidency we'll see some controversial pardons too. He may even make the novel choice of attempting to pardon himself, something no other president has dared try. Whether that would succeed would be up to the justices of the Supreme Court to decide.

However, a presidential pardon doesn't do anything for any state or local criminal charges the pardoned person faces. Those are still fair game for state & local prosecutors to go after.