President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, has left some members of the Democratic Party visibly frustrated and questioning what this move may mean in terms of political implications.
His father has pardoned Hunter Biden, the businessman who has been hit by numerous legal problems, from one of the most sensational inquiries into his business and tax matters. Many in the Democratic Party have criticized the decision by President Joe Biden as being divided between those who felt the need for it to be compassionate and others who thought that public trust could erode further in the Biden administration.
The Democratic lawmakers say the pardon does little to serve efforts toward justice and accountability at this time, especially when the party has been clamoring for reforms in criminal justice and openness. “While I understand the desire to protect family, this move could send the wrong message,” said a frustrated Democratic representative, who spoke anonymously. “It raises serious questions about fairness, especially when millions of Americans are struggling with their legal battles.”
At such a fragile time for the Biden administration president is already navigating an entrenched polarization in Congress, with challenges on all sides as well as the 2024 presidential election the decision was already a fraught one. Those within the party say they fear the pardon will play into Republican efforts to label the Biden family as out of touch with the law, imperiling the party’s electoral majority and further sowing divisiveness among voter blocs.
Despite the growing discontent, there are also Democrats who support Biden’s decision, arguing that a president has the right to extend clemency to family members and that Hunter Biden deserves the opportunity to move past his struggles. “This is a private family matter, and I believe the president acted within his rights to extend forgiveness,” said one Democratic senator, defending the pardon.
This fall-out will be for President Biden who pardoned Hunter because many parts of the Democratic base are still questioning his judgment and how that can influence the party’s prospects more broadly.
