President Joe Biden’s sweeping pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, has sent shockwaves through Washington, sparking intense debate across the political spectrum. The pardon, which absolves Hunter of all federal crimes he may have committed over an 11-year span starting in 2014, is without precedent. It has provoked fiery reactions not only from critics but also from allies and media figures struggling to navigate its political and ethical implications.
While some commentators acknowledged the pardon as a drastic measure, many sought to frame its necessity within the broader context of American politics, pointing fingers at former President-elect Donald Trump. CNN contributor S.E. Cupp, for example, argued that Trump’s approach to politics had fundamentally lowered the standards of moral authority, leaving both parties willing to bend traditional norms.
Her sentiment was echoed by others, including Charlie Sykes, who suggested the pardon removed the issue from Trump’s political arsenal, effectively preempting any potential moves he might have made if he’d been in Biden’s position.
It doesn’t get said enough, but Trump’s enduring legacy will be convincing BOTH parties to lower the bar, and that possessing moral authority on anything is no longer a currency that matters. https://t.co/f9hVwwIdEc
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) December 2, 2024
Meanwhile, other voices, like Bakari Sellers, framed the pardon as a strategic necessity. Sellers contended that Trump would have exploited the opportunity to pardon Hunter himself, labeling Biden weak for not doing so first. This narrative gained traction among left-leaning commentators, including hosts of The View, who claimed Biden had no intention of pardoning Hunter until Trump’s 2024 election win forced his hand.
On the other side of the aisle, Republican commentators slammed the pardon as a betrayal of Biden’s repeated promises to uphold the rule of law. CNN’s Scott Jennings was particularly scathing, accusing Biden of eroding public trust by reneging on his prior statements that he would not interfere in Hunter’s legal troubles. Jennings characterized the move as part of a broader pattern of broken promises and dismissed attempts to blame Trump as spin. His message was clear: the pardon undermines not only Biden’s credibility but also the standing of the Democratic Party as a whole.
Smart person texts me: “Joe Biden has just removed the issue of pardons from the political arena for the next four years and Trump probably once again can’t believe his own dumb fucking luck at this point”
Sadly, I think he’s right.
— Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) December 2, 2024
The long-term consequences of this decision remain uncertain, but the immediate backlash is undeniable. Biden’s defenders argue the move neutralizes a politically explosive issue ahead of Trump’s second term, while critics see it as a devastating self-inflicted wound that could alienate moderates and independents. The pardon also raises questions about how Biden’s legacy will be shaped by actions perceived as prioritizing familial loyalty over principles of justice and accountability.
Thank God. Pardon Hunter.
Trump plays by no rules. Abuses the law.
He would’ve pardoned Hunter and called you a coward for not doing it.
— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) December 2, 2024
