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.

  • slickgoat@lemmy.world
    3114·
    27 days ago

    Trump’s entire stchick is gaming every system to manipulate things in his favour. The Dems always take the higher ground and always get pounded. Every single time - Gore in 2000, particularly.

    If Biden ‘pardons’ his son to ameliorate Hunter’s political persecution, then it’s a step in the right direction to push back. Tame as it is, the Dems better learn to fight fire with napalm before all is lost.

    • sushibowl@feddit.nl
      277·
      27 days ago

      I disagree. There is pushing back for political gain, and pushing back for personal gain. Pardoning hunter is certainly an example of Biden abandoning the moral high ground. However it does not advance the cause of the democratic party in any way and only serves Joe Biden and his family personally. This is not a step in the right direction, it gives up moral correctness only to make the political position of the Democrats worse.

        • sushibowl@feddit.nl
          131·
          26 days ago

          I see the “Republican are always giving up moral superiority to gain an advantage so Democrats should do it too” argument. But at least get something worthwhile for selling your soul. Like, if you’re packing the supreme court you can at least protect abortion rights properly. If you nuke the senate filibuster you can pass some decent healthcare laws, or tax the rich maybe. Pardoning Hunter does nothing for anyone except the Biden family.

          Joe is acknowledging that the justice system sucks and powers that be can decide to fuck you over with it any time, but instead of abusing his power to try and fix it, he’s just bailing out his loved ones and then riding off into the sunset, leaving the rest of us to get fucked over. That’s stupid.

          • DarkFuture@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            26 days ago

            Pardoning Hunter does nothing for anyone except the Biden family.

            So?

            Guy was an actual good president. Anyone that’s done their homework knows that. And he got fucking shafted by a stupid populace.

            You think he should now respect that stupid populace by leaving his son in prison for non-violent crimes while a criminal president who explicitly stated he would target his political opponents sits in the Oval Office?

            Nah dawg.

            And late-term pardons are not some new thing. It’s only news now because a Democrat did it and Democrats have always been held to a higher standard. And that shit needs to change because in America taking the high road doesn’t benefit you in any way.

      • DarkFuture@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        26 days ago

        it gives up moral correctness

        That doesn’t matter in America anymore.

        only to make the political position of the Democrats worse.

        How could it be worse? They lost everything.

        We now know, beyond doubt, that attempting to take the moral high ground and honor decorum will make you lose in America. Time for Dems to shift their strategy and play in the mud with Republicans.

        Americans are dumb and easily influenced. At this point I’m actually fine with Dems spreading blatant misinformation to win. Because that’s how it’s done in America now.

    • DarkFuture@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      26 days ago

      Yep.

      A few weeks ago we got the final notice that playing nice simply does not work in America. Americans want corruption. They voted for it.

      In a system like that you have to play as dirty as your opponent or you will lose.

      Time for Dems to take the low road and start winning. That’s how it’s done in America.

    • Slueth@lemmyusa.com
      57·
      26 days ago

      Nope no nopity nope. People who genuinely have good intentions and actually spark meaningful change will always win in the public’s eye.

      Stopping down to the level of the “bad guys” will only make you a “bad guy”. This “us vs them” mentality some of you guys is to the detriment of a functioning government.

      I just have to add “They do bad things, so we’re justified to do bad things as well” is such a bad argument.

    • GHiLA@sh.itjust.works
      79·
      26 days ago

      This is selfish 1% privileged horseshit. Fuck Biden. Fuck his son. Fuck this selfish, narcissistic act that ignores all of us, you know, us fucks who got him elected.

      He is now as much an enemy of mine as Trump is. Fuck him.