Already grappling with significant setbacks in the November elections, Democrats are now contending with the fallout from President Joe Biden’s controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, for federal crimes. This unexpected move has sparked internal tensions within the party, which had long criticised former President Donald Trump as a lawless threat to democracy.
The pardon, issued late Sunday evening, reversed President Biden’s earlier pledges and granted clemency for any federal crimes Hunter Biden might have committed over more than a decade. The president justified the action by arguing that the charges—tax evasion and falsifying a federal firearms purchase form—were politically motivated.
“I believe in the justice system, but I also believe politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice,” said Biden in a statement. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated the sentiment, stating the president had weighed the pardon carefully despite previously ruling it out.
Backlash within the party
The decision has not sat well with some Democrats, who worry it undermines their ability to hold Republicans, particularly Trump, accountable for alleged legal and ethical violations.
“This sets a dangerous precedent that future presidents could exploit,” Colorado Governor Jared Polis posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Hunter Biden’s legal troubles were of his own making. While one can empathise with his struggles, no one is above the law—not even a president’s son.”
Arizona Representative Greg Stanton added, “This wasn’t a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers.”
The criticism reflects a broader concern among some Democrats that Biden’s reversal could weaken their standing against Trump, who has repeatedly claimed that his own indictments stem from a politically weaponised justice system.
Defending the pardon
President Biden has his defenders, many of whom have pointed to Trump’s extensive use of presidential pardons to exonerate allies such as Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, and Paul Manafort, as well as his son-in-law Jared Kushner’s father, Charles Kushner.
Prominent Democratic fundraiser Jon Cooper stated, “Biden was right to pardon his son to protect him against a weaponised FBI, driven by partisan actors determined to attack the president.”
First Lady Jill Biden also expressed her support. “Of course, I support the pardon of my son,” she said on Monday.
The Legal and Political context
Hunter Biden’s legal issues have been a long-running saga. He was convicted in June of three felonies for purchasing a gun in 2018 while allegedly misrepresenting his drug use on a federal form. Additionally, he faced trial in California over accusations of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes. He agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanour and felony charges just before the trial began.
The sweeping pardon, however, goes beyond these charges. It covers any offences Hunter Biden may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024.
In his statement, President Biden argued that the prosecution of such cases is uncommon and that Hunter was unfairly targeted due to his family connection. “No reasonable person who looks at the facts can conclude otherwise,” Biden said. “I hope Americans will understand why a father and a president would come to this decision.”
Implications for democrats
The timing of the pardon—coming weeks before Hunter Biden was to face sentencing—has exacerbated political challenges for Democrats, already bracing for the potential return of a Republican-controlled White House and Congress.
The pardon also complicates the party’s narrative against Trump, who has frequently been accused of bending the law to protect himself and his allies. “This decision weakens one of our strongest arguments against Trump,” admitted an unnamed Democratic strategist.
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Nevertheless, some in the party see the move as an act of compassion. “This was a father protecting his son,” said a senior Democratic aide. “It’s a deeply personal decision that shouldn’t overshadow the broader issues at stake in 2024.”
Republican reactions
Predictably, Republicans have seized on the controversy, accusing Biden of hypocrisy and double standards.
“Joe Biden has weaponised the justice system to go after his political opponents while shielding his own family,” said House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. “This pardon is an insult to the principles of justice and fairness.”
Some Republican lawmakers have even suggested the pardon could lead to renewed investigations into Hunter Biden’s business dealings, potentially ensnaring President Biden in the process.
Looking ahead
As Democrats navigate the fallout, the long-term political ramifications of Biden’s decision remain uncertain. The president’s supporters hope the controversy will fade, while critics fear it could linger into the 2024 election, complicating efforts to unify the party and appeal to swing voters.
For now, Biden’s unexpected move has reignited debates about justice, accountability, and the intersection of personal and political responsibilities at the highest levels of government.
