In an unexpected political maneuver that has sent shockwaves through Washington, President Joe Biden issued a “full and unconditional” pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday, December 1. The decision has provoked outrage from both Democrats and Republicans, highlighting the fraught and polarized political landscape as the nation prepares for the 2024 presidential election.
The pardon absolves Hunter Biden, 54, of any wrongdoing over the past decade, including his recent convictions for tax evasion and lying about drug use when purchasing a firearm. The announcement marks a stark reversal from Biden’s longstanding pledge to maintain the independence of the Justice Department and avoid intervening in his son’s legal troubles.
When Joe Biden took office in 2021, he vowed to restore the “integrity” of a justice system that many Democrats claimed had been undermined during Donald Trump’s presidency. This promise included a commitment not to shield his family from legal scrutiny.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated this position as recently as November 7, stating unequivocally that the president would not pardon Hunter. The abrupt shift in policy has sparked accusations of hypocrisy, even among Biden’s allies.
“Hunter was singled out only because he is my son,” Biden said in a statement defending the pardon. He argued that the prosecution was a product of the Trump administration’s weaponization of the Justice Department, which, he claimed, “infected the process with raw politics.”
However, critics on both sides of the aisle see the pardon as a damaging precedent.
Republicans swiftly condemned the pardon, accusing Biden of politicizing the justice system. Conservative strategist Scott Jennings, a former White House staffer under George W. Bush, called the move “a complete and total disgrace.”
“He is a liar, and there’s no other way to spin this,” Jennings told CNN.
The pardon has fueled Republican narratives of Democratic double standards, particularly as Biden has repeatedly criticized Trump for his controversial use of presidential pardons. During his presidency, Trump pardoned close associates such as Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, and Charles Kushner—actions widely decried by Democrats at the time.
“Joe Biden just proved he’s no better than Trump,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, adding that the pardon undermines Biden’s credibility as a critic of Trump’s actions.
Democrats Voice Disappointment and Fear of Backlash
Democrats, too, have expressed disappointment, fearing the decision could damage their credibility and provide Trump with justification for future controversial pardons.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis sharply criticized the president, accusing him of prioritizing his family over the nation.
“This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,” Polis posted on X (formerly Twitter). “When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation.”
Glenn Ivey, a Democratic congressman and attorney, warned that the pardon could undermine efforts to hold Trump accountable for his alleged abuses of power.
“This is going to be used against us when we’re fighting the misuses that are coming from the Trump administration,” Ivey said.
The political ramifications of Biden’s pardon were almost immediate. Trump seized on the controversy, suggesting it could justify pardons for those convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot.
“Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!”
The prospect of Trump leveraging the precedent set by Biden to pardon his supporters has alarmed Democrats. Political scientist Nicholas Creel, however, argues that Trump’s actions would likely remain unaffected by any precedent.
“Trump was never going to need an excuse to do whatever he wants once he takes office,” Creel said.
Hunter Biden’s legal issues have long been a lightning rod for partisan conflict. Convicted in June for lying about his drug use on a firearm purchase form and pleading guilty to tax evasion charges in September, he faced mounting scrutiny. Charges for such gun offenses are rare, but Republicans have argued that Hunter received preferential treatment due to his father’s position.
The younger Biden’s personal struggles with substance abuse and financial improprieties have been well-documented, making him a symbol of both Republican critiques of Democratic hypocrisy and Democratic efforts to portray themselves as champions of fairness and justice.
Biden’s defenders argue that the president’s rationale for pardoning his son differs significantly from Trump’s controversial use of the pardon power. Trump’s pardons often benefited allies accused of corruption or crimes related to his presidency, such as Manafort, Stone, and Kushner.
Biden, on the other hand, framed his decision as a response to what he described as a politicized prosecution.
However, critics point out that the justification echoes Trump’s own rhetoric about being targeted by a “witch hunt.” CNN noted similarities in Biden’s language and Trump’s frequent complaints about perceived unfair treatment.
The pardon has raised broader questions about the use and potential abuse of presidential clemency powers. Historically, presidents from both parties have used pardons to shield allies and advance personal or political agendas, but Biden’s action appears to contradict his administration’s emphasis on judicial independence.
Governor Polis and other critics warn that this precedent could embolden future presidents to misuse their pardon power, further eroding public trust in the rule of law.
“Once this Pandora’s box is opened, it’s hard to close,” said legal scholar Deborah Pearlstein of Cardozo School of Law.
Public reactions to the pardon reflect the deep partisan divisions in the United States. While Republican voters have seized on the move as evidence of Democratic hypocrisy, some Democratic voters feel betrayed by a president who promised to restore integrity to the office.
“I voted for Biden because I wanted decency back in the White House,” said Lisa Morgan, a Democrat from Michigan. “This just feels like more of the same swamp politics.”
Others, however, defend the president’s actions as a necessary intervention to protect his son from what they see as a politically motivated campaign of persecution.
“Hunter Biden has been targeted in ways that no one else would be,” said Mark Levenson, a Democratic strategist. “This was the only way to stop it.”
As the 2024 election approaches, the fallout from Biden’s pardon of his son is likely to remain a flashpoint in the national discourse. For Republicans, it serves as a rallying cry against perceived Democratic corruption. For Democrats, it raises uncomfortable questions about the president’s leadership and the standards by which justice should be administered.
