President Biden’s controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from within his own party. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., became the latest Democrat to voice her disapproval, joining a growing chorus of lawmakers and officials who see the move as both imprudent and politically damaging.
Adding to the controversy are reports that Biden may issue preemptive pardons for figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci, Sen.-elect Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Speaking with MSNBC’s Jen Psaki, Klobuchar didn’t hold back her criticism. “I am not a fan of these,” she said bluntly. “I didn’t like the pardon of the president’s son. I didn’t think that that was prudent.” She also expressed apprehension about preemptive pardons, warning of the precedent they set and how they could play into Trump’s hands once he takes office.
Klobuchar, who has long championed judicial reforms, used the opportunity to call for an overhaul of the presidential pardon process. “The president has this power,” she said, “but I think we should have pardon reform… You could have a committee set up. You could have suggestions from a board. You could do all kinds of things.”
Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter, despite previous assurances that he wouldn’t, has sparked backlash even among those sympathetic to the president’s plight as a father. Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a pointed statement, saying, “While as a father I certainly understand [Biden’s] natural desire to help his son… this is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation.”
Polis encapsulated a sentiment echoed by many: that Hunter’s legal troubles were self-inflicted, and Biden’s pardon undermines the principle that no one is above the law. By taking this action, Biden risks damaging the credibility of his administration and the broader Democratic Party at a time when trust in institutions is already precarious.
The issue has laid bare divisions within the Democratic Party. Critics argue that Biden’s actions not only go against his own campaign rhetoric about restoring integrity to the presidency but also hand political ammunition to Republicans.
The decision is seen by some as eroding the moral high ground Democrats have sought to claim, especially as Trump prepares to re-enter the White House with his own controversial approach to presidential powers.
The speculation about preemptive pardons for Fauci, Schiff, and Cheney further complicates matters. While Schiff has reportedly declined a pardon, such actions would fuel accusations of partisanship and favoritism. The preemptive nature of these pardons also raises constitutional and ethical questions about shielding individuals from accountability before any formal charges or convictions.
