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.

  • ubergeek@lemmy.todayEnglish
    5·
    26 days ago

    So, overall, in the list of things that “worry you” this is so low, it barely registers, right?

    • PonyOfWar@pawb.social
      2·
      26 days ago

      Obviously the bigger immediate problems will be what Trump gets up to in the next few years. But if there’s supposed to be a way out of this mess at some point, I think it’s also important for the democrats to be a strong opposition. They should provide an antithesis to Trumpist politics by showing honesty, integrity and consistency. Their justification for doing things should never be “but Trump did way worse”. Saying one thing and doing another might work out perfectly for Trump, but that doesn’t mean it will for the democrats. That may be unfair, but it is how it is. So the real worry is that I don’t think acting this way will win them another election, should there even be one.

      • ubergeek@lemmy.todayEnglish
        3·
        26 days ago

        There is only one way out of fascism, and it’s not by playing nice. Non-violent methods only work if the opposition has a conscience.

        • PonyOfWar@pawb.social
          2·
          26 days ago

          Didn’t say they should play nice. But a bit of nepotism definitely won’t contribute to getting out of fascism. Nor will justifying things based on whether the fascists are doing worse or trying to copy their oppenent’s tactics. All that will do is making people lose faith in their movement.

          • ubergeek@lemmy.todayEnglish
            2·
            26 days ago

            People have already lost faith in the Dems… Why do you think so many people stayed home?

    • btaf45@lemmy.world
      2·
      25 days ago

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich

      Does Donald Trainwreck’s pardon of this corrupt Democratic governor worry you? Did it register at all with you? No? The fact that people didn’t care about this makes me yawn about anybody saying they care about Hunter Biden’s way less serious thing get a pardon.