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
      91·
      3 days ago

      Biden cannot do any of those.

      Senate makes it’s own rules. Biden doesn’t make them. Parlimentarian is chosen by a house committee. Number if SCOTUS justices is set by law, not presidential decree.

    • Cleggory@lemmy.world
      3573·
      3 days ago

      It’s incredibly sad to see Democrats embrace hypocrisy with pride regarding a simple and obvious issue like this.

      Trump will have a field day pardoning Jan 6 criminals with this additional political cover from Biden.

      • plz1@lemmy.worldEnglish
        875·
        3 days ago

        He was going to do those J6 pardons anyways, don’t kid yourself. He didn’t need “additional cover”.

        • Cleggory@lemmy.world
          1164·
          3 days ago

          *Biden was going to do this pardon anyway, don’t kid yourself believing his constant lies.

          • Krauerking@lemy.lol
            325·
            3 days ago

            Conservatives keep breathing air too, did they need permission from liberals to do that too?

            Don’t mistake every action for a reaction. This is a mess but they were gonna do this and worse always, anyways, they already have.

          • Veneroso@lemmy.worldEnglish
            82·
            3 days ago

            No silly, he was going to have Kamala do it.

            Too bad that that bridge has sailed…

      • belastend@slrpnk.net
        383·
        3 days ago

        Like he needed that cover. Remember how he pardoned war criminals in his last days back in 2020?

      • Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works
        144·
        3 days ago

        First part is true. It is sad and even a pretty respectable president has taken a fuck it attitude toward nepotism. Second part of your statement is silly though. Trump is shameless criminal, no amount of “cover” is needed - he was going to pardon those traitors regardless.

        If democracy ever re-emerges in some other time or place, hopefully they won’t give this power to presidents. It’s ridiculous and heavily abused throughout history.

        • superkret@feddit.org
          31·
          2 days ago

          If democracy ever re-emerges in some other time or place

          Why don’t you cool it with the American exceptionalism? There are lots of countries that are still democratic, and have been more democratic than the US for many decades.

          Just because US democracy has failed doesn’t mean it’s failed globally. Sit down for a bit, shut up, fix your own shit, try not to start an illegal war for a while, and then re-join us when you’re ready.

        • Cleggory@lemmy.world
          724·
          3 days ago

          Trump has now won twice because of Dem incompetence and hypocrisy.

          Dems moving to the right is not irrelevant to Trump’s existence in office.