Biden pardons his son

• Biden issued a full pardon covering potential federal crimes from 2014-2024, including gun and tax charges
• The pardon contradicts Biden's previous public statements that he would not pardon his son
• The timing comes seven weeks before leaving office, as Trump prepares to take presidency

Viewpoint 1: The Pardon Represents Political Abuse of Power

TL;DR: Biden contradicted his promises and used presidential power to shield his son from justice, with the broad scope and timing suggesting political motivation rather than merit.

Snippets from around the web

Biden directly contradicted his June 2024 promise to "abide by the jury's verdict" and his administration's recent statements that he would not pardon Hunter, damaging his credibility and showing political opportunism. - CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/01/politics/hunter-biden-joe-biden-pardon/index.html‍

The pardon's unusually broad scope covers any federal crimes from 2014-2024, including the controversial Burisma period, suggesting an attempt to shield Hunter from future investigations. - CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/01/politics/hunter-biden-joe-biden-pardon/index.html‍

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer states this pardon is just "the tip of the iceberg" in covering up broader Biden family corruption, highlighting ongoing concerns about influence peddling. - Fox News, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lawmakers-harshly-criticize-bidens-decision-pardon-hunter-liar‍

The timing of the pardon during the post-Thanksgiving period when public attention was elsewhere suggests an attempt to minimize political fallout. - BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gplr65prno‍

Federal prosecutors who worked on Hunter's case stated this represents Biden "putting his thumb on the scales of justice," undermining the legal process. - Fox News, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lawmakers-harshly-criticize-bidens-decision-pardon-hunter-liar

Viewpoint 2: The Pardon Addresses Unfair Political Targeting

TL;DR: Hunter Biden faced disproportionate prosecution due to his father's position, while maintaining sobriety for 5.5 years despite intense scrutiny and political attacks.

Snippets from around the web

Biden argues Hunter was "selectively and unfairly prosecuted" due to his family name, facing harsher consequences than others with similar offenses. - Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/2/us-president-joe-biden-pardons-son-hunter-despite-pledge-not-to‍

Hunter has maintained sobriety for 5.5 years despite constant public scrutiny and criticism, demonstrating rehabilitation. - CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/01/politics/hunter-biden-joe-biden-pardon/index.html‍

Hunter's statement acknowledges his addiction-related mistakes while expressing commitment to helping others struggling with similar issues. - Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/2/us-president-joe-biden-pardons-son-hunter-despite-pledge-not-to‍

The White House official familiar with the decision noted that "raw politics had infected the process" and that Hunter had already endured enough. - CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/01/politics/hunter-biden-joe-biden-pardon/index.html‍

Political opponents were attempting to "break Hunter" during his recovery from addiction, using his personal struggles for political gain. - BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gplr65prno

Viewpoint 3: The Pardon Sets Dangerous Precedents

TL;DR: The decision undermines Biden's promise to restore Justice Department independence and normalizes presidents using pardons for family members, potentially justifying future politically motivated pardons.

Snippets from around the web

The pardon normalizes presidents using clemency powers for family members, similar to Trump's controversial pardons of associates. - BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gplr65prno‍

This action undermines Biden's promise to restore Justice Department independence and separation from political influence. - CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/02/politics/hunter-biden-pardon-analysis/index.html‍

The pardon may provide justification for Trump to pardon January 6 defendants and others when he returns to office. - BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gplr65prno‍

Constitutional law experts argue this further erodes public trust in equal application of justice and political leaders' credibility. - Newsweek, https://www.newsweek.com/should-joe-biden-have-pardoned-hunter-biden-1993982‍

The pardon's timing and scope suggest a concerning shift in how presidents now use pardon power for political purposes rather than justice. - CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/02/politics/hunter-biden-pardon-analysis/index.html

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