Biden's decision to pardon son Hunter met with bipartisan backlash
WASHINGTON (TNND) — Republicans and Democrats are speaking out against President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter. While it’s been good fodder for late-night shows, there’s been strong pushback against it even from members of his own party.
When you do pardon him, putting the personal ahead of your responsibilities to the American people, it just gives the American people the sense that there’s one system for the rich and powerful and another system for everyone else," said Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also dodged multiple questions on the pardon.
“I’ve got nothing for you on that," Sen. Schumer said repeatedly at his weekly press conference with reporters. He then tried to move on to other topics.
The sweeping nature of the pardon shields Hunter Biden from legal trouble he’s already been convicted of and any other potential crimes over 11 years.
It’s a saga that began with claims his laptop was Russian disinformation. The laptop was eventually authenticated and used as criminal evidence against Biden. A number of Republicans have bashed the flip-flop decision after Biden had repeatedly promised to not pardon his son.
Well, I'll put it this way. If it was my son, I'd pardon him too. But here's what I didn't like. Don't lie to us, don't tell us you're not gonna do it and then do it. That’s not what a President should be like," Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said.
The White House said more pardons are coming, and there's speculation that may include other Biden family members. Critics say the pardon sets a new political precedent and will give President-elect Donald Trump the push to do broad pardons of his own during his incoming time in office.
"The reality is that Trump is already trying to abuse the system of justice. He's already trying to use the justice department for his own political ends. And I fear this is just gonna give him another excuse," said Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.