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.

  • PonyOfWar@pawb.social
    48·
    1 month ago

    It really shows how fucked up and desperate the American political discourse is at this point IMO. Before it was “see how much integrity Biden has for not even pardoning his own son”, now it’s turned into “Hunter was a political prisoner and victim of unjust persecution” in an instant. No one is willing to admit any faults because the other side gleefully profits from them. I can understand why people do it, but it’s a worrying indication for the state of politics in America.

    • Saleh@feddit.org
      8·
      1 month ago

      I got attacked a lot for speaking of “blue MAGA”. But this is an aspect of it. The Republicans managed to push their fanatic cult of personality, rally around the leader, no mistakes are made, critics are opponents and need to be kicked out kind of political “culture” into parts of the Democratic base.

      But this is a kind of “dont wrestle a pig in the mud” situation. By adopting the Republicans culture and way of thinking, it gives them further strength.

      • AlijahTheMediocre@lemmy.world
        8·
        1 month ago

        We need to accept that “they go low, we go high” isn’t working and pivot to “they go low, we step on them”.

        We shouldn’t be abiding by the rules and precedent they willfully ignore. We too can play dirty.

        But we’ve lost if the DNC ever succumbs to a strongman cult of personality like the Republicans did. Where if you don’t lick the boot you’re a Democrat in name only.

    • Maggoty@lemmy.world
      2·
      1 month ago

      I never said Biden had integrity and I fully support this pardon because it was an absolute political witch hunt. Biden talked a big game but he continued the liberal tradition of giving money to large corporations and rich people instead of small businesses and the working class. Anyone that expected integrity wasn’t paying attention.