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.

  • johannesvanderwhales@lemmy.world
    445·
    18 days ago

    On the one hand this is pretty hypocritical. On the other hand I probably would do the same in his position given that trump plans to weaponize the Justice department. Not great but this is the state our country is in now.

    • octopus_ink@lemmy.mlEnglish
      384·
      18 days ago

      On the one hand this is pretty hypocritical. On the other hand I probably would do the same in his position given that trump plans to weaponize the Justice department.

      Seriously. Here’s the scenario I put myself in:

      • I’m 82 years old
      • Three close family members, including my first wife and two of my children, have died.
      • I’m being succeeded by someone who has promised to leverage government agencies to attack his political enemies
      • My son has symbolically become one of those enemies
      • I have choices:

       

      • I can wait to see whether my successor does some third world shit to him while he’s in prison and be powerless to stop it if he does

      OR

      • I can use my current powers to free him, saving him from that fate, and getting more time with my remaining son during my final few years of life.

      Fuck I know what choice I’m making.

      I understand every single argument about why he shouldn’t have done it. I agree with some of them. Still no problem for me to put myself in a state of mind where I do the exact same thing.

      Go ahead and come at me if you want, folks. I understand, but I won’t be changing my mind. If I’m 82 years old, my son stands a good chance of being abused while in a jail cell after I retire, and I can both avoid that plus also get an extra year+ with my son before I die, with nothing more required than expressing my wish for him to be released, I’m doing it.

        • octopus_ink@lemmy.mlEnglish
          81·
          18 days ago

          Fair enough. 🙂

          I’m like a notch below you on that. I won’t condemn him, but I acknowledge there are valid reasons he should not have done it.