By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Congressman Cohen’s statement highlights the lack of checks on presidential clemency power, citing President Biden’s pardon of his son as a case in point. He argues that Hunter Biden’s prosecution was politically motivated and that the pardon, while understandable given the father-son relationship, raises concerns about potential abuse. To address this, Congressman Cohen advocates for a constitutional amendment restricting presidential pardons for family members, administration officials, and those acting on the President’s behalf to prevent conflicts of interest and corrupt practices. The amendment would also invalidate pardons issued for corrupt purposes.
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The uproar surrounding Hunter Biden’s pardon feels hollow, particularly considering Republicans’ inaction on a proposed constitutional amendment that would have curbed presidential pardon powers. This inaction exposes a blatant hypocrisy, highlighting the partisan nature of the outrage machine rather than genuine concern for legal principles.
The argument that this is merely a calculated attempt to manipulate public opinion gains traction when considering the Republicans’ history of supporting expansive pardon powers. Their current outcry seems less about upholding the rule of law and more about scoring political points.
This hypocrisy is further emphasized by the fact that a Democratic-sponsored proposal to limit presidential pardons has languished within a Republican-controlled subcommittee for years. If the Republican party truly believed in limiting presidential pardon power, this would be a prime opportunity to demonstrate their commitment. Their failure to act strongly suggests that their concerns are performative rather than principled.
The double standard becomes even more glaring when compared to past presidential pardons, including those granted by previous administrations. The lack of similar outrage in those instances further underscores the partisan motivation behind the current controversy.
The sheer volume of outrage manufactured by the Republicans on this issue has led many to believe their indignation is disingenuous and solely intended to energize their base. The Republicans’ ability to focus the nation’s attention on this specific aspect of the Biden administration, to the exclusion of other matters, highlights this manipulation strategy.
The perceived injustice, while existing for some, is overshadowed by the clear partisan bias present in the reaction. The Republicans’ failure to support legislative changes that would address their stated concerns only serves to further erode public trust and amplify the perception of hypocrisy.
It is also relevant to acknowledge that while some may find President Biden’s pardon of his son problematic on a personal level, this concern is significantly diminished when considering the highly partisan nature of the charges against Hunter Biden and the potential for politically motivated prosecutions.
Furthermore, the debate surrounding the pardon overlooks the broader context of presidential pardons and their historical use. Presidential pardons are a powerful tool, and their potential for abuse is a legitimate concern that warrants discussion and reform, but the current focus is primarily partisan.
The lack of bipartisan support for amending the Constitution concerning pardon power further underscores this point. The fact that such an amendment would require significant political consensus, making it improbable in the current environment, highlights the political motivations behind the current outcry.
The current situation, therefore, presents a prime example of the challenges faced by the political system in navigating issues of ethics, justice, and partisan politics. The Republican party’s strategic use of public outrage without tangible legislative action reveals a troubling pattern of exploiting the system for political gain rather than working towards genuine reform.
Ultimately, concerns about Hunter Biden’s pardon should be seen within the broader context of political maneuvering and partisan gridlock. The lack of Republican action on a proposal to limit presidential pardon powers casts serious doubt on the sincerity of their outrage. This incident highlights how easily issues can be used to manipulate public opinion and distract from more pressing matters. The focus should shift away from partisan grandstanding to finding common ground to prevent the abuse of presidential powers in the future.