In the hours since President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, signs have emerged that some Democrats are not pleased with the decision.
Among the first lawmakers to speak out against it was Congressman Greg Stanton, who represents a swing district in Arizona. He said, “I respect President Biden, but I think he got this one wrong.” He added, “This wasn’t a politically-motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies, and was convicted by a jury of his peers.”
Jared Polis, the Democratic Governor of Colorado, also criticized Biden’s decision.
“While as a father I certainly understand President Joe Biden’s natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country.
“This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation.”
Jared Polis
However, former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, now an independent, wrote on X, “Joe Biden pardoning Hunter looks bad but most fathers would do the same thing under the circumstances.”
Greg Landsman, who just won re-election representing a district encompassing the city of Cincinnati, wrote of the pardon on X, “As a father, I get it. But as someone who wants people to believe in public service again, it’s a setback.”
Speaking to a news agency, Maryland Representative, Glenn Ivey warned that President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, could hurt his party going forward when they’re trying to defend the Justice Department against possible future attacks by Donald Trump in his second term as President. “I’ve got mixed views about it frankly,” Ivey said.
New Jersey Representative, Josh Gottheimer also told the news agency, “I’m always for accountability but what I’m not for are political prosecutions.”
“Let’s be honest, the only reason why they went after Hunter the way they did, and I’ve talked to many federal prosecutors about this, is because he’s the President’s son, right? It’s somebody who has a lifelong drug addiction and prosecutors would have handled this differently. So, this was all politically motivated. So, I understand.”
Josh Gottheimer
Biden’s pardon of his son is the latest instance of an outgoing President using the pardon power to help a family member.
Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother and Donald Trump pardoned the father of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
House Speaker Says Justice System ‘Irreparably Damaged’
U.S Republican House Speaker, Mike Johnson, had this to say about Joe Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter.
“President Biden insisted many times he would never pardon his own son for his serious crimes. But last night he suddenly granted a “Full and Unconditional Pardon” for any and all offenses that Hunter committed for more than a decade!
“Trust in our justice system has been almost irreparably damaged by the Bidens and their use and abuse of it. Real reform cannot begin soon enough!”
Mike Johnson
More top House Republicans joined in on condemning Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter.
Majority leader, Steve Scalise, who wrote on X, “You’ve been lied to every step of the way by this Administration and the corrupt Biden family.” He asserted, “This is just the latest in their long coverup scheme. They never play by the same rules they force on everyone else. Disgraceful.”
Also, Judiciary Committee Chair, Jim Jordan said that Democrats said “there was nothing to our impeachment inquiry.” “If that’s the case, why did Joe Biden just issue Hunter Biden a pardon for the very things we were inquiring about?” he asked.
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