President Biden Makes Decision On Hunter Pardon
President Joe Biden’s decision to issue a sweeping pardon for his son Hunter Biden has ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising questions about the boundaries of presidential power and accountability.
By extending the pardon to cover offenses dating back to January 1, 2014, Biden has effectively shielded both his son and, perhaps more importantly, himself from further scrutiny into actions that have long been sources of concern and speculation.
The timing and scope of the pardon are striking. Hunter Biden’s tenure on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company mired in allegations of corruption, began in 2014. At the time, then-Vice President Joe Biden oversaw U.S. foreign policy in Ukraine.
Joe Biden didn’t just pardon Hunter for the gun crimes for which he was convicted. He pardoned Hunter for *EVERY SINGLE FEDERAL CRIME HE COMMITTED* over the last decade—including several years during which Joe Biden was VP and the entirety of Joe Biden’s presidency. pic.twitter.com/wjvwXTL8r6
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) December 2, 2024
The appointment immediately raised red flags among State Department officials and journalists, though many questions went unanswered. Efforts to probe potential conflicts of interest were met with silence or deflection, often attributed to Joe Biden’s personal circumstances, including the loss of his son Beau.
What began as whispers of impropriety gained significant traction in 2020 with the release of data from Hunter Biden’s infamous laptop. Emails and other documents revealed that Joe Biden had met with a Burisma associate of Hunter’s, contradicting repeated claims that he had no involvement in his son’s business dealings. These revelations painted a troubling picture of potential influence-peddling at the highest levels of government.
Critics argue that the pardon effectively rewrites history. It absolves not just Hunter Biden but also eliminates any legal pathways to further investigate Joe Biden’s possible role in foreign business deals. This broad pardon also precludes any consequences for Hunter’s alleged failure to register as a foreign agent—a key legal requirement when representing foreign interests in the U.S.
The start date of January 2014 for Hunter’s pardon is extremely notable because it coincides with Joe becoming the de facto viceroy of Ukraine. Hunter (who had and has never been in Ukraine) started raking in millions from a corrupt Ukrainian oligarch in April 2014. pic.twitter.com/wir4Q8LgoZ
— Hans Mahncke (@HansMahncke) December 2, 2024
The irony here is unmistakable. In 2019, House Democrats impeached then-President Donald Trump for allegedly pressuring Ukraine to investigate the Biden family’s dealings. At the time, Trump’s request was framed as an abuse of power. Yet, with Hunter’s pardon, the alleged conduct Trump sought to expose now appears to have been quietly swept under the rug.
The pardon also sets a dangerous precedent. By granting such a comprehensive and retroactive reprieve, President Biden has raised concerns about the misuse of executive clemency as a shield for personal or familial wrongdoing.
This decision not only protects Hunter but also insulates Joe Biden from further inquiry into matters that could have far-reaching implications for public trust in the presidency.