WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on Sunday night, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.
The Democratic president had previously said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence after convictions in the two cases in Delaware and California. The move comes weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive his punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges, and less than two months before President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House.
Biden, who time and again pledged to Americans that he would restore norms and respect for the rule of law after Trump’s first term in office, ultimately used his position to help his son, breaking his public pledge to Americans that he would do no such thing.
Damnit Joe! You could have at least waited for the December 16 sentencing. As a first time offender he might have gotten off with a slap on the wrist (depending on the judge) and you wouldn’t look like such a hypocrite for letting him just be sentenced. By acting preemptively, you’re just sending the signal that it doesn’t matter what crimes were committed, he won’t be held accountable. If you’re going to stand on principle for four years, doing nothing to ensure Trump faces consequences, why throw it away at the very end. What a clusterfuck our political system has become.