President Biden pardons his son Hunter Biden
President Biden pardons his son Hunter Biden
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.
Republicans seemed to have successfully done a false equivalency. They lied about witch hunts and then did one, and then when the president swatted it away people reacted with, "Oh, they're both the same."
Trump pardons traitors, insurrectionists, Nazis. A witch hunt victim is in the same league, because family I guess. Not like that was the reason for the witch hunt or anything!
Lol.
Most of these comments are a great example of how stupid Americans are.
All my life Dems have been held to a higher standard. I've watched them take the high road so many times while the Republicans went low. Continued to honor decorum when Republicans refused.
And guess what happened?
Americans told them to go fuck themselves and voted for blatant Republican corruption instead.
And now there's a bunch of comments in here whining about how Democrats are corrupt for doing this.
Go fuck yourselves. Clowns.
"Critics argue the move undermines the judicial process, while supporters view it as within Biden’s constitutional powers."
Both things are true though. The pardon power exists as a check on the judicial branch, so it certainly undermines it in the same way that the veto undermines legislative decisions by congress. The constitution gives the president the authority to do some pretty blatant undermining, but checks work in the other direction too if the branches are acting as co-equals and not just shilling for one of the others.
I'm not surprised and I don't really care. Last time I checked the charges against him were kinda bullshit and it was clear to me that red team was pushing for him to face charges out of spite. It's funny to see Trump get mad about it though, he would have pardoned his own kid a long time ago if he were in that position. Well, maybe not Eric, but definitely Don Jr, Ivanka, or maybe the other ones.
I'm not happy about this. Not one bit. Just like how I wouldn't have been happy to hear about Trump pardoning one of his own kids for breaking the law. As a matter of fact, I'm furious reading some of the comments in this thread.
It shocks me to see people defending this. We fought against the Republicans to prevent misuse of executive powers exactly like this. How the fuck can you sit there and rationalize this while saying it's wrong for Trump to pardon the Jan 6th insurrectionists? or himself for that matter?
This is a black stain on Biden's presidential legacy. It's shit like this that puts wind in the sails of all the crazy Republican conspiracy theorists out there. Now, every single motherfucker who ranted and raved about the "Biden Crime Family" since 2020 was just proven right, just like how all the people who said that Trump's convictions were politically motivated were proven right when Jack Smith dropped the charges. It makes us look like fucking morons and hypocrites.
No, before anyone says it, it is not smart to stoop to their level when basically the only messaging we sent out during the entire 2024 campaign was that we were the morally superior choice. That someone who doesn't respect the rule of law has no business being president. Now, we don't even have that to lean on.
100%
I'm not super shocked to see people defending this because a chunk of people will always play defense. I'm shocked to see how many are defending this. Nobody should give a shit about Hunter Biden. The attention brought onto him was certainly politically motivated but the trial itself was not. He did the crimes and he should be ready for the consequences. The guy is clearly a grifter.
I don't care if Democrats stoop to the level of Republicans when it is actually defending our rights. When it is for blatant nepotism though? Fuck that with a sharp stick.
Funnily enough, the local satire paper here ran a story right before Thanksgiving with the headline "Turkey Pardoned by President Looks an Awful Lot Like Hunter Biden" with a picture of Hunter in a turkey suit. I think I would actually be more supportive if that had actually happened.
No, before anyone says it, it is not smart to stoop to their level
While it's a bit disappointing, I understand that one perspective is that it is a defensive move. I don't think it is unreasonable to assume that Trump is going to abuse his power and weaponize the Justice Dept to extract everything he can, politically, from the resulting show.
I don't know whether or not Biden would have done the exact same thing if it was a more reasonable Republican administration coming in. That would be far more telling. It might have been that Biden was making a show of it with the assumption that he'd be overseeing and influencing it all as president and if that weren't the case he'd be abusing his authority to spare his son.
Yes, it's frustrating because of the message it send but frankly, I don't think it'll cause much trouble. Everyone who'd see it as an admission of the guilt of the "Biden crime family" wasn't going to change their mind, even if Hunter was publicly drawn and quartered by the Biden administration. Those folks would immediately move the goal post - "Yeah, whatever, but what about..." or just insist Hunter's death was fake and it was all sham.
Republicans in Congress are never going to want to limit excessive executive power if it’s only ever used in service of things they like.
The pardon power was exactly for this. The entire investigation was a political witch hunt. It's meant to prevent exactly this kind of mistreatment in the justice system. Just because the person happens to be the president's son changes nothing except that people will fall into GOP propaganda they've been setting up for years, while they push this investigation.
It might come as a shock, but the president actually tends to pardon a lot of people at the end of their presidency, including people they don't know
The Republicans literally spent their entire time wasting money on an ethics committee for Hunter Biden because they couldn't find anything on biden
Id argue that when the government is spending millions to investigate a guy who isn't even part of the government, it's a political prosecution
He never even worked for the government
Unlike the trump family who are all being given positions of power and are openly abusing them
Irrespective, because of the Republican bs, Hunter is going to never be able to just do his time and live his life
Don't forget that trump is also putting his own people in charge of positions of law too and he isn't signing any ethics documents or selecting them ethically.
Even with a pardon, trump is a spiteful shit and i guarantee he'll be attacking all of his political enemies
Id argue that when the government is spending millions to investigate a guy who isn't even part of the government, it's a political prosecution
I may not like it, but also kinda fair.
I don't really care. The law is the law. The investigations were quite clearly politically motivated, trying to get to Joe by going after Hunter, but the trial was nothing but fair and the judiciary did not make a mistake in the trial or the sentencing. You cannot claim to be a supporter of the rule of law only when it's convenient for you. This pardon undermines just about every bit of credibility the Democratic party had left. It's not Biden breaking the rules or using his power for the good of the nation or the people, it's a selfish abuse for the sake of keeping his son from being held accountable for the things he actually did.
I would not be surprised if Joe Biden supported some of the very same legislation that would have put his son behind bars back when he was still a senator. Dude was well known for being a "tough on crime" type of politician.
It shocks me to see people defending this.
On principle I agree with you but the US public voted in a wannabe dictator convict who is blatantly corrupt on every level at every opportunity. I also tend to think Republicans went to great lengths to attack Hunter since they couldn't successfully attack Biden himself - and I could totally see Trump going after Hunter as an example and to target some figure in a powerplay. That harpie Congresswoman from Georgia literally showed nudes of Hunter on the floor of Congress for no reason, continuing the trend of the GOP having no "soul" or morals. Republicans have successfully ripped apart the country after Biden's admin did its best to fix all the bs the GOP did 4 years ago. Fuck it, I just don't care - Let Biden have this.
We fought against the Republicans to prevent misuse of executive powers exactly like this.
And we lost.
Americans want corruption. We voted explicitly for it.
No point in taking the high road or honoring decorum anymore. It doesn't work to win elections in America.
It shocks me to see people defending this.
It shocks me that you did not 100% realize a year ago that this was exactly what was going to happen. It was a bullshit witch hunt charge that was only prosecuted because Hunter Biden was a high profile person.
So if you knew your son was about to be thrown in prison by your political opponents, you would do nothing? Then feel good about yourself?
Are you an asshole or a liar? Or both?
To answer your question, I wouldn't feel good, I would feel great.
I don't care what you think I am. I want justice. The American people want justice. This isn't justice. It's corruption. We shouldn't want corruption in the government, because that's how countries deteriorate.
People want to live in a country with a fair justice system. Biden contributed to the system he says was unfair to his son and then saves his son from it. Biden is fucking off with his family, they got theirs. We don't have a reason to defend Biden anymore. Blue MAGA isn't useful for winning elections.
Based take, also great comment
when basically the only messaging we sent out during the entire 2024 campaign was that we were the morally superior choice. That someone who doesn't respect the rule of law has no business being president.
And how exactly did that work out? I don't think moral superiority is at all a helpful thing in politics.
Moral superiority is an important cultural and ideological component, it’s something to strive for. But if your political opponents keep bending rules to their favor, being civil seems like a complete waste of time. I agree with the other comments pointing out that this isn’t a win for voters at all.
I get where you’re coming from, but the political opposition in America to democrats is now literally Nazis and white supremacists. Bidens action isn’t a win for voters in any sense, that’s the only objectionable part tbh.
The prior president pardoned a family member who was blackmailing and raping people, then appointed the same criminal to be ambassador to France. I don't give a fuck what President Biden does now. We're a country of criminals and oligarchs now.
Critics argue the move undermines the judicial process, ...
Oh shut the fuck up.
The Supreme Court undermined the judicial system.
I really appreciate that you took the time to bold it, made me chuckle 😁 I feel you though 💙
Stop with the whataboutism, this is the political class acting in its own interest at no benefit to any of us. If anything this discredits the legal system and is to our detriment.
The votes came in. The country chose corruption and “fuck it” politics. At this point Joe just wants to protect himself / family from the coming retribution administration.
This is yet another example of Biden just not doing things sufficiently enough. He must issue a preemptive umbrella pardon for himself, as Trump's DOJ, FBI, and CIA will go after him
History has now shown us that there was evidently no one on the ballot who wasnt a "corruption and fuck it politics" candidate.
On the one hand this is pretty hypocritical. On the other hand I probably would do the same in his position given that trump plans to weaponize the Justice department. Not great but this is the state our country is in now.
On the one hand this is pretty hypocritical. On the other hand I probably would do the same in his position given that trump plans to weaponize the Justice department.
Seriously. Here's the scenario I put myself in:
- I'm 82 years old
- Three close family members, including my first wife and two of my children, have died.
- I'm being succeeded by someone who has promised to leverage government agencies to attack his political enemies
- My son has symbolically become one of those enemies
- I have choices:
- I can wait to see whether my successor does some third world shit to him while he's in prison and be powerless to stop it if he does
OR
- I can use my current powers to free him, saving him from that fate, and getting more time with my remaining son during my final few years of life.
Fuck I know what choice I'm making.
I understand every single argument about why he shouldn't have done it. I agree with some of them. Still no problem for me to put myself in a state of mind where I do the exact same thing.
Go ahead and come at me if you want, folks. I understand, but I won't be changing my mind. If I'm 82 years old, my son stands a good chance of being abused while in a jail cell after I retire, and I can both avoid that plus also get an extra year+ with my son before I die, with nothing more required than expressing my wish for him to be released, I'm doing it.
Meh, it's like how I give preferential treatment to the people I like at work and make my employees that I dislike do the work I hate. It's just human nature.
I’ve always found it absurd that presidents possess the authority to grant pardons. It trivializes our judicial system and undermines its integrity. This power should not be vested in the presidency.
It's supposed to be a check on the judicial. Are you suggesting it should be vested elsewhere or just not at all? I wouldn't remove any checks on this court personally
Honestly, I think it's more of a practical matter. Even if they didn't have explicit pardon power, whoever's in charge of the executive has effective pardon powers by simply denying to carry out the orders of the court (see Jackson's behavior which lead to the trail of tears).
At least by making it official it's a lot more clear what's going on, and maybe they had hoped this would lead to electoral consequences for those who abused it?
It's not a great look...but let's be frank. Biden was pushed out of a race he wanted, during a presidency that wasn't all that bad considering what came before. The Dems that wanted him out are now all either infighting, or saying everything is fine and they'll definitely win in four years. Biden's in the last weeks of his job, and when he's lost so much already he probably just wants to ensure his family are safe.
After decades of public service, and being committed to handing power over to someone that's demonized what's left of his family, I'm all for Biden using his last week or two to protect his family and enjoy retirement.
I can't stand this "not a good look" talk when democrats have to basically be squeaky cleak that they can't even own a peanut farm or swear and yet 10 years into the "grab them by the pussy" guy who makes fun of disabled people, women, calls everyone names including his own party... Nobody bats an eyelash. I don't care if Joe Biden lied for his son at this point, Donald pardoned and will continue to pardon dozens of family and staff and insurrectionists. It's ok for Trump to lie about not knowing project 2025 and then immediately hire everyone involved with it days later... But Biden can't lie once. Got it.
But Biden can't lie once. Got it.
I mean... He ran in 2020 saying he would only be a one-term President...
And then him and his staff hid his cognitive decline well past the start of the primaries....
He also said there'd be consequences for Israel if they didn't start allowing aid into Gaza...
So that's four lies, counting his backtrack on pardoning his son.
The problem is Biden helped create the legal system he's now shielding his son from. The same legal system that put thousands upon thousands of sons and daughters behind bars.
And with the recent attention police conduct has gotten (and all the footage we see of officers abusing/torturing/beating/killing those being arrested), how many of those kids never made it to the courtroom because of ol' Joe "Maybe Cops Can Just Shoot-em in the Leg" Biden and the militarized police force he helped create?
You're right, Republicans are corrupt to the core, they're pieces of shit, and they have and will do things that are worse than this. But that doesn't excuse the fact that this only benefits the Biden family, and is corruption, full stop. I understand why he did it, and I've gone back and forth on whether I'd do the same in his shoes (which probably means I would)...
But he deserves to be criticized for it, as I would be, because it's blatant corruption, and just reinforces the notion amongst non-voters that both parties are the same, they only care about protecting and enriching their own, and us plebs can just go fuck ourselves.
And actions like this are exactly why people say "both parties," because they prove it.
Yeah honestly I'd do the same if I were in his position. I can't blame him.
I'm not a fan of the nepotism and I don't plan on defending it. Biden claims he needs to do this to keep his family safe from an unfair system. If he's going to do stuff like this and acknowledge our institutions are flawed how about do stuff for the American people, Ukraine, or anyone without the last name Biden. The peaceful transfer of power to fascism, but his family got theirs leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
No shit, he had 4 years to do these
He's got 48 days. It's time for Joe to get writing.
Leonard Peltier? Edward Snowden?
They aren't related so sucks for them
Who are... people the state wants to murder?
Yeah I would be fine with this IF he also used the expanded powers granted to him by Trump's Supreme Court to block the incoming fascist/monarchist takeover. Or, fine, don't try to block them with anything that gives the courts a chance to clarify that ruling, but also don't transfer power smoothly and peacefully to these bastards in any way shape or form, you know? If you're saying "fuck it", then fuck ALL of it; not just the parts of it that affect you personally.
A lot of people here missing the point. We don't care about this because Hunter was the target of a witch hunt. The actual "crimes" weren't impactful at all. The Republicans literally spent 8 years dragging him through the mud, digging for anything that he could be charged with, just because who his dad is. And Hunter didn't even touch politics in the slightest.
The gun charge is the moral equivalent of crucifying someone for having pirated music on their hard drive. It was a nothing crime, never enforced, and the only reason it was in this case was because they happened to find something they could latch onto.
I don't know anything about the tax evasion conviction. If it was serious, then sure, fuck him. But I'd want them going after every politician AND their family with equal vigor. But guess what? They aren't.
That's why most of us don't really care. The man is not important. He holds no position of power, nor has he expressed any intent to. He is not important, except as a whipping boy for their propaganda. And a pardon for such preposterous prosecution is fine with me.
We don’t care about this because Hunter was the target of a witch hunt.
He was convicted in court by a jury of his peers same as every other American under charges would see. He wasnt convicted in some political "witch hunt" process in congress, nor was he convicted by an activist judge. The congressional investigation went nowhere and was shut down. Hunters convictions carried a sentence of 15 to 21 months. If his conviction is unfair and needs to be resisted then the entire system of justice in america is unfair.
The actual “crimes” weren’t impactful at all.
thats not your call to make. This is just another case of hard justice being for the little people only, and you seem to be cheering that on. How low can you go, man. Biden spent a lifetime banging tables pretending to be a tough on crime guy. You seem to have forgotten all of that.
This never should have been before a jury.
The prosecution had agreed to drop the gun charge as apart of a plea bargain (because it's a crime that is only ever used as an add-on for violent crimes). But the fucking judge rejected the plea deal after Biden had admitted guilt.
That's bullshit and 100% should have been thrown out.
He was convicted in court by a jury of his peers same as every other American under charges would see.
So was Trump. But he got away with it and is now President. Hell, he didn't even have to go through the process for most of his crimes. Just bypassed it all.
Nothing else matters now. The rest of your comment is irrelevant. The justice system is irrelevant.
Free Hunter!!!
First, did Bidden just notice that his son was a target of a "witch hunt" after the election? Or was he just lying before?
And second, Bidden literally controlled the DOJ for 4 years. It was his call whether to go after other corrupt politicians or not.
Im uninformed so I know nothing of Hunter's supposed crimes. Can I get a quick rundown?
I don't know anything about the tax evasion conviction. If it was serious, then sure, fuck him.
If you can't even be bothered to read an article about it why should any weight be given to your opinion. The tax fraud was 1.4 million dollars and he actively lied on his returns to avoid payment. He effectively stole over a million dollars, fuck him and all tax cheats.
Ok. What part of that conflicts with what I said?
If he cheated on taxes, then fuck him. But I think it's generally assumed that these fucks all cheat on their taxes. So if you're going to go after one, then go after all of them.
And again, he's not actually a politician, and was only targeted because of who his dad is. If you don't see that as abuse of authority as revenge against his dad, then there's no point in talking to you.
Also, if you read the fucking article yourself, it never goes into details on the tax charges.
And Hunter didn’t even touch politics in the slightest.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_Biden :
"Biden was a founding board member of BHR Partners, a Chinese investment company, in 2013, and later served on the board of Burisma Holdings, one of the largest private natural gas producers in Ukraine, from 2014 until his term expired in April 2019. He has worked as a lobbyist and legal representative for lobbying firms, a hedge fund principal, and a venture capital and private equity fund investor. "
"Biden was hired to help Burisma with requesting assistance from the U.S government to expand its business and corporate governance best practices,"
I am more shocked by people supporting Biden's action than the action itself
It really shows how fucked up and desperate the American political discourse is at this point IMO. Before it was "see how much integrity Biden has for not even pardoning his own son", now it's turned into "Hunter was a political prisoner and victim of unjust persecution" in an instant. No one is willing to admit any faults because the other side gleefully profits from them. I can understand why people do it, but it's a worrying indication for the state of politics in America.
To be fair, the biggest charge is the gun charge, and that's from lying on the 4473.
Honestly, that question shouldn't even be on the form, and I know loads of people who lie on that form, same question, all the time.
Weed is legal, but if you admit it, you can't buy a firearm to defend yourself from fash.
But, you can be a drunk, mow down kids in your SUV, and that's dandy.
I got attacked a lot for speaking of "blue MAGA". But this is an aspect of it. The Republicans managed to push their fanatic cult of personality, rally around the leader, no mistakes are made, critics are opponents and need to be kicked out kind of political "culture" into parts of the Democratic base.
But this is a kind of "dont wrestle a pig in the mud" situation. By adopting the Republicans culture and way of thinking, it gives them further strength.
I never said Biden had integrity and I fully support this pardon because it was an absolute political witch hunt. Biden talked a big game but he continued the liberal tradition of giving money to large corporations and rich people instead of small businesses and the working class. Anyone that expected integrity wasn't paying attention.
I am more shocked by people supporting Biden’s action than the action itself
I am more shocked by you not fully realizing a year ago that this was exactly what was going to happen than anything Biden did. Hunter Biden was prosecuted for something that likely nobody else would have been.
I support it. This as miscarriage as a miscarriage of justice gets. A politically motivated investigation turns unfiled taxes and a gun law that could imprison half the country (smoke a joint after going to a range and you're guilty too) into a politically rejected plea deal and 25 years in prison?
That's a fucking nightmare not justice. He should be on an IRS payment plan and monitoring for drugs. That's the normal outcome.
Absolutely. It's turned into /r/TheJoe around here. Pretty disappointed in all those cheering on this shit just because it's their team.
I support it.
Americans explicitly voted for blatant corruption.
Now they're going to get it.
We're just getting what we voted for.
I honestly don't give a flying fuck if he pardibs his son or not. It's not like Trump was going to pardon him along with the J6 people.
Using Trump as a litmus test for good behavior proves you are a simple hypocrite.
Good. I hope the democrats play just as dirty and hard as the republicans going forward. We cannot be civil with barbarians.
I would also like them to do that too, but I would prefer they do it for something other than nepotism.
The left needs a populist movement like Bernie Sanders has been saying, the movements the left has seen prior to this point have tapered out because they didn’t get money backed support, and because they didn’t capture the hearts and mind of the comfortable democrat voter.
It’s had been an uphill battle till now, but maybe things will be different going forward because the republicans are going to peel back a lot of hard won rights and freedoms, and also degrade quality of life and standards of living with their health, economic and education policies.
Its not exactly revolutionary action, him pardoning his son is no win for the working class
him pardoning his son is no win for the working class
Who cares?
Anyone who has bothered to do their homework knows the Democrat party votes in favor of the working class WAY more often than Republicans. Hell, a few weeks before the election Trump and Musk did a televised interview where they jerked each other off about how much they hate unions and worker rights. Then working Americans voted them into power.
Now stupid Americans are going to get the corruption they deserve.
Fuck that. Playing dirty in this instance does zilch to help you. Why the fuck would you support this? How does Hunter Biden being pardoned help you or anyone else at all? Democrats are okay to play dirty when it is done defending basic rights for Americans, not for the political elite. Hunter is a grifter and he should absolutely face the consequences.
Why the fuck would you support this?
Because I'm tired of watching the Dems be held to a higher standard and taking the high road and honoring decorum and losing to a corrupt as fuck party of traitors.
Americans voted for corruption, so now they're going to get it. Hopefully we get so fucking corrupt it actually makes us act like adults and vote more intelligently. Doubt it. We're probably done for. But that's our own fault.
I mean, I agreed already that this action isn’t a win for voters. I am just sick of people crying about Biden doing this selfish thing for his family when Republicans are literally supporting white supremacy. There’s too much money support for the white supremacy movement, the left it needs own comparable financing against this.
But then the Democrats will BECOME the barbarians. Do not stoop to the level of sloppy populism -- behave honorably and it will pay off in the long-term.
behave honorably and it will pay off in the long-term.
.........HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!
In a world where we keep poking each other's eyes out, everyone ends up blind.
Stop, please.
I believe in the goodness in people more than is optimistically allowed, but even I am forced to acknowledge the existence of sociopaths and psychopaths who abuse the good will of innocents and well-meaning people alike.
Sociopaths and psychopaths will always make fun of those they abuse, and they will use the morals and ethics of people against them.
Empire has always been blind to justice, freedom, etc.
These people don't deserve eyes
Have you poked your own eyes yet?
Is this just a distraction from the incoming administration refusing to sign ethics statements they signed into law, or avoiding background checks for sensitive government positions
He said he wouldn't but at this point Joe might as well YOLO idk anymore.
It would be cool if he went out in a blaze of glory that wasn't self serving. Like legalizing weed, arming Ukraine, and just generally trying to fuck shit up for Trump before he gets in.
He did approve long range missiles for Ukraine. So, he kind of did.
He can't pardon those things. He can improve them, but nothing like the absolute power of the pardon.
Don't forget getting rid of the penny and axing daylight saving time. 100% president of the century if he executive ordered these things.
I don't think it's so much YOLO as recognizing that Hunter would be a target of Trump once he assumes office.
It seems to me to be a form of self defense. People do things that they otherwise wouldn't do when the alternative is bad enough.
Reading through these comments and seeing people excuse this because trump is worse validates the race-to-the-bottom strategy that republicans and democrats cooperate on. Republicans will keep lowering the bar while democrats will continue hovering slightly above that bar as their only differentiator and we're all on the ride on the way down.
The gun crime is bullshit. That law isn't enforced on anyone. It's also probably unconstitutional if you follow the conservative understanding of that amendment (which is complete bullshit, but that's beside the point).
Tax evasion, sure. That maybe shouldn't be pardoned but also it's only an issue because he's the president's son. I don't dismiss this, but also I recognize that it's mostly bullshit Republicans drummed up because they couldn't get anything on Biden.
I will point out to every conservative who defends Trump who says anything about this though. Trump is literally a convicted felon, and multiple cases are being dismissed because he was elected. If they think Hunter shouldn't get off free, then they better have some strong reasons Trump should.
You do have to remember that most of us didn't give a fuck about this supposed crime to begin with. I mean who Among Us hasn't lied to the government about our drug history?
Also should mention that it's clearly unconstitutional by the way.
The cover up is the crime. Why did the FBI spread false Russian Propaganda misinformation?
Gun charge "while using illegal drugs".
Tax fraud.
c'mon now, fuck all that shit. 100% political, "witch hunt", and all that. I would have thought less of Joe had he not done this.
Um no?
Don't tell me if you knew the threat to democracy who had a personal vendetta against you and your child was following you in office and has threatened and made blind accusations multiple times that you would NOT pardon them. Biden did the right thing as a parent and a mildly objectionable thing on a moral standpoint politically which... just fuck off with that. I don't wanna hear about morality from the party that constantly defends rapist and child abusers
I don't want to hear about morality regarding biden and his full-throated support of genocide. He said he wouldn't pardon his son and that he believed in the rule of law, but when it comes down to it, he goes ahead and pardons him because he ultimately knows the institutions he has fought so hard to defend are full of shit. Us peasants are still supposed to be held under the power of these institutions, though, and he has done nothing to change that. In fact, he's played a big hand in making it as bad as it is now with his tough on crime stance.
Reading through these comments and seeing people excuse this because trump is worse validates the race-to-the-bottom strategy that republicans and democrats cooperate on.
No, you don't seem to understand. The race to the bottom strategy was a Republican thing. But now that we know that's how you win in America, some of us are supporting that strategy for Democrats as well.
Gotta adapt to your environment to succeed.
Is not a race to bottom. It is just the most clear indication that the American system of governance has massive flaws and, as a set of institutions, the system has no way to protect itself from abuse.
I and almost certainly evey other non-psycho father would have done the same.
It is wild how they willing to defend their side no matter what. This is absolute abuse of power regardless of detail. Again, it is understandable and expected, but still abuse of power.
Democrats are twisting this as a great thing now after Biden said he would never do this, what a total bunch of hypocrites.
Once again more "it's okay when our side does it" from them.
Umm.. Republicans stole his laptop and used his dick pics as revenge porn during congressional hearings
The way he was treated in most countries judges would take that into consideration. Id agree if he was treated fairly. In practice though, Republicans used their privileges to commit criminal acts against him
Great, nah Hypocritical, yup Understandable, yup
The house is already on fire and throwing a cup of water on it while yelling at the guy roasting a marshmallow because he said he would also throw a cup of water and didn't.... yeah, fuck it, he can have his son by his side through his last year's that will no doubt be made insufferable by orange Satan.
Lololol "both sides"
Lmao
Just like Harris going to Hawaii immediately after her loss, this sends a clear message.
"I don't give a fuck. This was always about personal power and wealth."
Just incase anyone thought the DNC would actually use their defeat as a reason to soul search about how their neoliberal policies no longer serve the people and that's why people aren't coming out to vote.
Harris was in Hawaii 2 weeks after losing the election. She was gone for less than a week. Why is it bad to want to decompress for half a heartbeat after a crazy campaign?
And as for Hunter. Trump has packed the federal law enforcement agencies with corrupt MAGA nuts who want political retribution. Hunter will not be treated fairly.
Moreover, pardoning him highlights the conflict of interest that the GOP gladly ignored with Trump’s first term. If the GOP wants to prevent presidents from pardoning people they’re personally associated with, the Dems will happily join that vote.
I don't understand, why her being in Hawaii means she doesn't give a fuck ?
Seriously. Everyone involved was exhausted and there was nothing else for them to do except rest and recover. If they’d won, they’d still be going at it preparing to enter office while Trump went to Mar a Lago and tweeted.
Lololol, found a Russian troll
So… she stayed in the US?
This is SUPREME CORRUPTION! What next? He's going to Appointment Family Members to Government Positions? Allow the Highest Bidders to Buy OVERSIGHT Positions? SELL Pardons? DISGUSTING!
i would have said 'no' a little while ago but now fuck it, the people have spoken. the problem now is that he isn't doing enough fuckery to benefit the people. supreme court declared that the president is above the law and he isn't doing anything with that. sc did it for trump but biden could and should use it. literally send everything on the dod depot to ukraine, give unlimited funds to solar and wind, forgive every loan and shoot modafukin steve bannon in the face
Agreed. Fuck 'em. I'd have been bothered if the system held accountable the horrible people that are about to come to power. At this point Hunter's crimes look like a joke on this background.
His crimes were going away with the plea deal before the right set their sights on him.
Unfortunately, what would that mean in a few months? Trump would have ALL shreds or pretence and standards removed. He'd pull an iraq Parliament, and arrest congresspersons right on the floor. Look up "Saddam purge".
Now, I'm not saying it won't happen anyway, but Biden doing it now normalizes it then. The degree to which we give up systemic stability now, is permanent and relevant then. We would hope the sheer novelty / abnormality of trump acting so impulsively would trigger revolt, even from his "base". That, or we get man-in-thehighcastle-ed and america is broken up as a result.
None of that is good for global welfare.
It's already normalized for the Republicans. Trump pardoned a family member and is now trying to appoint him as Ambassador to France.
I say it's about fucking time the Democrats start fighting fire with fire. I'm not honestly sure I'd be disappointed if Biden took Sotomayor's dissent to heart and used it to solve our nations biggest problem right now, because you can be damn sure that Trump and his advisors will be doing it soon enough anyway. Might as well beat them to the punch a change.
Taking the high road for the last 40+ years has clearly not worked.
Biden could literally dress up like Commando and slaughter the Supreme Court on live tv without “undermining the judicial process.” Can’t undermine something if it doesn’t exist.
Or have someone else do it, then pardon them.
It's just easier if he does it, since SCOTUS already said it was legal.
No need to pardon anybody if he just orders Seal Team 6 in there to do it. It's an official act.
Just thinking about this
Here's for wishing
Not American, so forgive me if I don't understand the full context, but why is this more upsetting then when Trump pardoned a relative or when Clinton did it?
Biden specifically said he wouldn't and then he did, that simple. And everyone knew it was a lie then, so it's all just coming to fruition.
Politicians lie!?
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So that's a dozen or so Biden lies compared to literally thousands of Trump lies... hmm
There's a lot of conservatives in here pretending they care.
It's not.
Democrats have always been held to a higher standard. So it's SUPER SHOCKING when they do something corrupt, even if it's minimal like this.
What you're seeing is a bunch of whiny bitches complaining about Democrats while Republicans get off scott free like always. It's the American way.
These are the same whiny bitches that voted 3rd party because they didn't like Biden's actions regarding Palestine, so they became single issue voters, and now Trump is our president because of it.
Because the Supreme Court essentially gave Biden to do whatever the hell he wanted and he would be able to do it legally unless congress got together and said it was not an official presidential act and this was up to and including killing political opponents, since it was what Trump's lawyers successfully argued.
And what he decided to do instead was use his already existing legal power to keep his son out of prison.
Edit: To clarify, I'm not suggesting he should have killed Trump. I'm saying he has the power to do whatever he wants essentially and this is what he decides to do.
Oh hey look, precedent.
The only time precedent ever matters to conservatives is if it works in their favor.
Biden's son was prosecuted for something a regular person wouldn't have been. Hunter wasn't above the law he was below the law.
This guy being pardoned is what you should be mad about...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich
He was a corrupt Democratic governor of Illinois that Donald Trainwreck pardoned for the sole reason of normalizing pardons for corruption. No Democrat wanted to have him pardoned.
precedent.
Yeah that hasn't mattered for about a decade now.
He used the law to destroy the law
I don’t love it, but I get it
I do love it. It's about time a Democrat fucking did something without constant worry about what Fox News might say about it. You think we were going to win over these supposed "centrists" anyway?
He's not appointing him to a cabinet position. He's not making him the Ambassador to France. And the only reason he was having the entire book thrown at him for crimes he did, absolutely commit was, in fact, political.
Fuck former Senator Bob Menendez. That was real corruption. Fuck Blagojevich, he should rot in prison (except that Trump pardoned him). But Hunter's crimes were pretty minor.
I’d prefer that he’d act in the interest of the American people overall in his cutting and running. The last month has had many examples of last minute “good luck with the fallout, Donny” moves, but this is exclusively self interest. I don’t love it, but I get it. Hope he enjoys whichever country he and his son will flee to as we mad max it
pardoning the j6 in 1 month, eh
The trolls are getting kicked out of Bluesky and landing here lol
Honestly, who cares? Good for him.
Honestly, no one in this eco chamber.
Dude:
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You're posting from a lemmynsfw account
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Trump is a convicted felon, tried to overthrow the government, and has done plenty of questionable pardons himself and despite all of that is going to be president again
Nobody cares. Not in this "eco chamber" [sic] and likely not in any other one either.
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It's almost like our government only really functions to bail out rich/well-connected fuck ups. What's new?
What's new? People openly simping and celebrating this action as a good thing.
I've been a supporter since I was first able to vote for Obama's first term. Not anymore, guys. You don't do enough for us but virtue-signal when you have the ability to and you only think about yourselves when you don't. I just don't believe in them. They don't stop fascism, they pause it, and in some cases, contribute to it by their cowardice, and pardoning his son is just taking a shit on all of us right before he leaves.
I fully intend to do as much for the Democratic party of America going forward, as they have done for me, by ignoring them and pretending they don't exist.
then the fascists will win
What's this will shit? Buckle up, buttercup. The time for voting has passed. We're in the endgame now.
I wish presidents can just give legal status to people. Just give everyone currently in the US citizenship status. It'd be epic.
It's not that they can't, it's that they don't want to.
Ah of course. Capitalism. Why give them legal status so they can demand higher wages. Gotta exploit workers and threaten deportation if they dont comply. Maximum profits amirite?
(Honestly too sad to think about it 😓)
People who were already sure Joe was going to pardon his oddly-named son: everyone.
Republicans overjoyed this outgoing president is now "just like" the worst human ever to run for office: all of them. "Whataboutism" is an alien term.
Political prisoners still incarcerated left to pardon: none.
Let the guy gather his family so he can travel far away from the despot felon and be safe in retirement. Don't envy that he can and we can't.
Why spout nonsense misinformation like that?
Summary of the charges and convictions of Hunter Biden:
Gun Charge Conviction: Hunter Biden was convicted of three felony counts for lying on a federal firearms application. He pleaded guilty to making a false statement, saying he was not a drug user, and illegally possessing a firearm for 11 days.
Tax Convictions: Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges in Los Angeles, including three felony tax offenses and six misdemeanor tax offenses. He failed to pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes for tax years 2016-2019 and filed false returns.
Plea Deal: Initially, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to the tax charges and faced a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison.
Thank fuck the guy you've all been defending did a selfish act just for himself and his family before ditching us all to die.
Vote with a brick next time.
Good old Lemmy, defending its owners. Wage slaves in spirit lmao
Biden didn't "ditch" anybody. He doesn't owe you anything. If you are going to die because of Donald Trainwreck, it is the voters fault, not Biden's.
Six months of executive action ability.
Uses it selfishly.
"He doesn't owe you anything."
I voted his ass into office. He owes us everything within his power to deliver.
So, either he can't, or he won't.
So he won't.
So fuck him, the puppeteers holding his strings and making sure he doesn't fall down while walking across a stage, and his drug addict son.
Lol. Americans told Dems to go fuck themselves despite being infinitely less corrupt than Republicans and voting in favor of working class Americans infinitely more often than Republicans.
And now you're over here putting on your clown nose and complaining that they did one kind of semi-corrupt act of a father pardoning his son for non-violent crimes while the true criminal walks free as OUR PRESIDENT?
Get this pathetic shit out of here.
Trump's entire stchick is gaming every system to manipulate things in his favour. The Dems always take the higher ground and always get pounded. Every single time - Gore in 2000, particularly.
If Biden 'pardons' his son to ameliorate Hunter's political persecution, then it's a step in the right direction to push back. Tame as it is, the Dems better learn to fight fire with napalm before all is lost.
I disagree. There is pushing back for political gain, and pushing back for personal gain. Pardoning hunter is certainly an example of Biden abandoning the moral high ground. However it does not advance the cause of the democratic party in any way and only serves Joe Biden and his family personally. This is not a step in the right direction, it gives up moral correctness only to make the political position of the Democrats worse.
it gives up moral correctness
That doesn't matter in America anymore.
only to make the political position of the Democrats worse.
How could it be worse? They lost everything.
We now know, beyond doubt, that attempting to take the moral high ground and honor decorum will make you lose in America. Time for Dems to shift their strategy and play in the mud with Republicans.
Americans are dumb and easily influenced. At this point I'm actually fine with Dems spreading blatant misinformation to win. Because that's how it's done in America now.
"Political persecution". LMFAO He ran around with guns while being high and evaded taxes. Bidens claim that his son was "singled out" only applies in the logic of rich white people, who expect the system to protect them from the law.
Yep.
A few weeks ago we got the final notice that playing nice simply does not work in America. Americans want corruption. They voted for it.
In a system like that you have to play as dirty as your opponent or you will lose.
Time for Dems to take the low road and start winning. That's how it's done in America.
This is selfish 1% privileged horseshit. Fuck Biden. Fuck his son. Fuck this selfish, narcissistic act that ignores all of us, you know, us fucks who got him elected.
He is now as much an enemy of mine as Trump is. Fuck him.
Nope no nopity nope. People who genuinely have good intentions and actually spark meaningful change will always win in the public's eye.
Stopping down to the level of the "bad guys" will only make you a "bad guy". This "us vs them" mentality some of you guys is to the detriment of a functioning government.
I just have to add "They do bad things, so we're justified to do bad things as well" is such a bad argument.
A pretty mundane act of fatherhood. If you had the power to prevent your kid from going to jail for something that was done a 5 years ago most people would do it. It wasn't a violent crime that he is being pardoned from so its not that much different than all the pardons Trump did in his first term for all the fraud convictions.
so its not that much different than all the pardons Trump did in his first term for all the fraud convictions.
I'm glad we hold our leaders to such rigorous standards. As long as Trump is corrupt and using power to benefit himself it's fine if we do it!
Didn't Biden say that he would not pardon Hunter? Was he lying the whole time?
Pretty sure that ship sailed when the judge rejected the plea deal and said he was going to throw 25 years at Hunter.
Your right. It was a little bit of a “what about”ism. If they did it then why shouldn’t I isn’t the best argument. I do agree that he is going back on his word and we should hold our leaders to a higher standard.
I guess I get a little frustrated by most dems holding their leaders to a higher standard and then their leaders resigning for it. All while nothing comes of a Republican holding office and threatening people with violence and sexual assault.
Critics argue the move undermines the judicial process, while supporters view it as within Biden’s constitutional powers.
It's both. I'm very disappointed by this. I had hoped Biden would maintain integrity on this.
I had hoped Biden would maintain integrity on this.
Lol. Integrity is out. Americans just voted so.
Side note - it's funny to watch how quickly leftists are descending into maga-like craziness defending this obvious abuse of power.
"Trump did worse" is not a principle.
What 'leftist' supports Biden?! The political compass in the US is..... Special I guess? There's no 'left' on the mainstream political spectrum in the US as far as I can see. Libs are not leftists by any standard in any country outside of the US. The Dems are to the right of the right coalition in charge of my country right now.
it’s funny to watch how quickly leftists are descending into maga-like craziness
Well, we just saw lawless, violent MAGA gain total control of our federal government by lying and cheating.
So that's the standard now. Americans voted to prove so. We're just adapting to our environment.
I hope we lie, cheat, and steal to the max in the next election (if there is one), so we can gain total control using the same tactics. Because those are the tactics that work in America.
"Trump did worse" is not a principle.
Thank you! It’s been so aggravating, it’s like they are unable to defend Biden’s awful policies without saying Trump’s name.
Not a great look but at the same time I am not upset about it.
Lol I don't give a fuck, if I had a functional democracy with justice then maybe k would care, but this system is clearly FUBAR
Meh, fuck it. Our justice system is dead.
Well, unless you're poor. Then it works just fine. Against the poor.
The scary thing about this is not that he did it. But that this is where we are at. I believe (I'm not from the us and don't follow politics so could be wrong). That Biden believed in the system and thought others did too.
But with Trump coming in, he now believes the system is broken. What he believed in is broken. And as such he's getting what's his, for himself. And now democrat or Republican they both will stomp on the US system to get what they want.
And I have no doubt that the US people are really going to learn what that truly means. When you throwaway the guard rails that you used to believe in. I hope you watch closely.
Every president has pardoned those close to them when they leave office, it's tradition
The GOP has zero moral fibers to stand on. Joe free yourself from these Nazi shits.
Biden 2028!
"Hey, you've seen my hog and you know I was a crackhead."
Hunter individually didn't really deserve a pardon for tax offenses but I can understand it. Hopefully since we're going full fuck it mode with presidential powers Biden can do something much more deserving of the powers like removing marijuana as a controlled substance and pardoning non-violent marijuana felons.
He already did pardon all federal use and simple possession crimes. But the vast majority are at the state level.
It's bullshit that this is even controversial.
Sorry. Next time we'll ask you before we decide what is going to be controversial. It's been a crazy month, we let this one slide by but it won't happen again
Good good, I like to be in the loop.
Fuck that. Peacefully handing over the country to the oligarchy and this is what he uses his now completely unlimited presidential power for. What a fucking dick.
He could have expanded the court. He could have abolished the electoral college. He could have assassinated Trump. He could have done anything to help anyone but his family but he didn't. What a fucking dick.
EDIT: Not suggesting he should have gone dark Brandon and assassinated Trump.
When people tell me not to "both sides" things it's this type of comment I think of.
He could have assassinated Trump.
Jesus Christ...
Trump's lawyers successfully argued in front of SCOTUS that a president could have their opposition assassinated, call it an official presidential act, and it would be up for congress to decide whether or not it was legal.
I don't think he should have assassinated Trump, but they're right, he could have, and the legal fallout would have kept him free for the few years he has left to live.
Yep, POTUS swears an oath to defend from enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC.
Trump is a domestic enemy. Like Hitler was to Germany.
What's funny is the expectation by so many here that a guy "unwaveringly supporting" people mass murdering children for their etnicity would have the Morals to not pardon his own son when he can do it at no cost to himself.
Like all other sociopaths only considerations about "consequences" drive his choices.
Perfectly upvoted and downvoted, as all things should be
Sentencing was in 2 days, which is still plenty of time for Biden to have pardoned if the sentence was out of line with normal sentencing guidelines-- aka, a "witchhunt". Hunter was tried by a group of his peers for tax and gun crimes he clearly committed. I dont see how it could have been a witch hunt, since the congressional inquiry was shut down.
So why did Biden issue pardon before sentencing? One can only assume Hunter was about to get a sentence thats just fine and in line with his conviction. If he was about to get "nailed" in a "witch hunt" as some people said here, it would have been better to wait for the abusive behavior to be apparent before acting. Biden made hte choice not to wait, therefore there is probably no unfairness in Hunters case. We will never 100% know the truth either way, but the witchhunt theory just doesnt line up with the facts we can see with our own eyes.
So, Biden very likely abused his authority to let his son off for crimes that he should be accountable for as a citizen. Biden brought justice in the country down a notch for personal gain. Yet again, the man is not worthy of his office. Neither is Harris or Trump. They are all self centered corrupt opportunists acting for other reasons than the job is supposed to be about.
Evidently if it saves his son a single year in jail, Biden will wipe his rear with his party's dignity, if not the entire concept of justice in this country.
That's wild. Lots of people thought he would wait until sentencing to decide.
Power corrupts. If you have the opportunity to help a family member without any blowback, eventually the opportunity will soften you up.
And then the same power goes to Trump, who's not in need of corrupting, since he's already fully baked.
I guess it would be better if a power to bypass the justice system wasn't available. A creative and unethical person can do a lot of things with it. Bad things.
For those of you who want to act like this is no big deal, he didn't do anything too bad, it's a non-issue please watch Nate the Lawyer's video on it.
Who actually cares apart from phony politicians? This dude didn't do anything that's actually a real "crime". Ofc any reasonable parent would do the same. Yes, the injustice system is completely oppressive and violent but that doesn't mean we should selectively celebrate it. There are farrrrr bigger problems (eg. genocide).
Didn't do anything wrong aside from tax evasion and potential corruption.
They found shit all to do with Ukraine. After years of investigation they found nude pics, a gun, and some unfiled taxes.
Lol this thread is awful. The amount of you guys defending this because it's "your team", absolutely pathetic blue MAGA trash
Here's my take. This is not "good" because Trump also did it, this is "good" because a high ranking Democrat basically admitted that the US judicial system is FUBAR and is being used for political tit-for-tat.
Makes it harder for the DNC to pretend its politics are viable or sensible going forward.
Lol.
Americans just voted explicitly for corruption. They told a FAR, FAR less corrupt political party to go fuck themselves and voted for the blatantly corrupt one instead. They told a party that's gone out of their way to always take the higher road and honor decorum, when the other party repeatedly refused, to fuck off.
And you're over here whining about an outgoing president pardoning their son for non-violent crimes because he didn't want him in prison while a man who EXPLICITLY stated he would target his political opponents sits in the Oval Office?
Lol. Fuck off. You're a clown.
I feel like people defending prohibition and the completely oppressive injustice system are far more pathetic.
I suppose there are levels of patheticness yes
Imagine using, as a political tool, addiction faced by people with no options to cover for gun-toting tax-evading influence-peddling corruption by the world's most famous nepo baby.
presidential pardons shouldn't be based on personal intrests. you have opened the floodgates for Trump
As if it would have slowed Trump down even a single second if Biden hadn't done it. Trump has already shown he doesn't give a SHIT about norms, customs, ethics, fucking anything that gets in the way of enriching himself and his friends or stroking his ego.
Trump's plans to pardon the insurrectionists wasn't an indication the flood[gate]s for personal [interests] were already open?
Trump already threw the floodgates open on that one, last term.
Right, because Trump never acted on personal interests before.
Give me a break lmao
Looking at all this from the outside, it is sad to see how blind people get, by picking sides. Both sides are terrible. Sure, one side may be more or less terrible than the other, but it all stinks and it is sad to see it happen to a country that the rest of the world looked up to, only 30 yrs ago
Neoliberals made the decision to vote for the lesser evil before I was even born. After 30 years of constantly drifting rightward, it's not surprising that we've ended up here. I'm just pissed I was born just in time to be alone in the thick of it.
The only crime Hunter Biden ever committed was being named "Biden"
What about agreeing to hold 10% for the big guy?
Wish my dad was a millionaire president.