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.

  • CAVOK@lemmy.world
    272·
    21 days ago

    Not American, so forgive me if I don’t understand the full context, but why is this more upsetting then when Trump pardoned a relative or when Clinton did it?

    • Dozzi92@lemmy.world
      306·
      21 days ago

      Biden specifically said he wouldn’t and then he did, that simple. And everyone knew it was a lie then, so it’s all just coming to fruition.

    • DarkFuture@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      20 days ago

      It’s not.

      Democrats have always been held to a higher standard. So it’s SUPER SHOCKING when they do something corrupt, even if it’s minimal like this.

      What you’re seeing is a bunch of whiny bitches complaining about Democrats while Republicans get off scott free like always. It’s the American way.

      These are the same whiny bitches that voted 3rd party because they didn’t like Biden’s actions regarding Palestine, so they became single issue voters, and now Trump is our president because of it.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
      1317·
      21 days ago

      Because the Supreme Court essentially gave Biden to do whatever the hell he wanted and he would be able to do it legally unless congress got together and said it was not an official presidential act and this was up to and including killing political opponents, since it was what Trump’s lawyers successfully argued.

      And what he decided to do instead was use his already existing legal power to keep his son out of prison.

      Edit: To clarify, I’m not suggesting he should have killed Trump. I’m saying he has the power to do whatever he wants essentially and this is what he decides to do.

      • nexguy@lemmy.world
        1·
        20 days ago

        Trump did this with his own family at the end of his term… didn’t need any extra powers to do it.

        • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
          3·
          20 days ago

          That was my point. He could have done something big, but this is what he’s decided to do instead, he’s just proven himself to be totally self-serving.

    • Slueth@lemmyusa.com
      1325·
      21 days ago

      Trump has never pardoned anyone directly related to him. His list of pardons can be found here and on Wikipedia. I am not justifying any of his pardons, I am adding context as to why Biden is receiving this amount of press.

        • Slueth@lemmyusa.com
          11·
          19 days ago

          What lie? Who was directly related to him? We’re talking familial relations. You did not look at the lists, you did not verify my information.

          The downvotes in my original comment are because of the two party system destroying people’s objectivity and reverting them back to tribalism. In other terms, democrats and republicans do not like facts.