By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Criticism of President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter, is unfounded. These critiques wrongly assume that Democrats should adhere to different standards than Republicans, ignoring the latter’s consistent disregard for norms. The article argues that President Biden’s pardon is justifiable, contrasting it with President Trump’s pardons of convicted co-conspirators and allies. Ultimately, the author advocates for abolishing the pardon power entirely due to its inherent potential for abuse.
Read the original article here
Joe Biden was absolutely right to pardon his son, Hunter. The sheer volume of partisan attacks, investigations, and media scrutiny directed at Hunter over the past five years dwarfs the actual crime he was charged with. This relentless, years-long campaign of public humiliation and political persecution focused on a relatively minor offense—a crime thousands commit annually without facing similar consequences—clearly points to a politically motivated prosecution.
The disproportionate intensity of the investigation into Hunter’s actions stands in stark contrast to the far more serious and numerous crimes allegedly committed by Donald Trump. Trump’s history of alleged financial fraud, obstruction of justice, and abuse of power is extensive and well-documented, supported by a wealth of evidence. The sheer volume of legal cases involving Trump, many involving far more serious allegations, highlights the absurdity of comparing his situation to Hunter’s.
The claim that Hunter Biden’s pardon somehow justifies further immunities for Trump is not only a false equivalence but also demonstrates a shocking double standard. Trump has consistently exploited his wealth, power, and position to manipulate the justice system, delaying or avoiding accountability for his actions—actions that far outweigh anything Hunter Biden was accused of.
Even authorities on the matter have commented on the unusual nature of the prosecution against Hunter Biden. The level of scrutiny – involving Congressional committees, special counsels, and the Department of Justice – was completely out of proportion to the offense. The sheer amount of time and resources expended on the case is stunning, further highlighting the political motivation behind the pursuit.
Furthermore, the argument against the pardon often ignores the long history of presidential pardons, often granted for far more significant crimes. Comparing Hunter Biden’s pardon to the number of pardons granted by previous presidents puts the current outcry into perspective. The hypocrisy of those who criticize Biden while remaining silent on similar actions by previous administrations is palpable.
The argument that Biden lied to the American people by not explicitly stating his intent to pardon his son beforehand is a weak one. The situation was complex and fluid. It’s much more likely people would have reacted more strongly had he announced his intention to pardon Hunter from the outset.
The focus on Hunter Biden’s situation has also served as a convenient distraction. Some speculate that the intensity of the media and political focus on Hunter served to deflect attention from the far more serious allegations and actions of other individuals, such as Jared Kushner.
This isn’t about excusing wrongdoing; it’s about recognizing a massive double standard and an abuse of the legal system for overtly political purposes. While the question of whether a president should have the power to pardon anyone, including family members, is worth debating, within the existing framework, President Biden’s decision to pardon his son was justifiable given the circumstances. The political motivations behind the investigation are far more compelling than the crime itself.
In essence, the outrage surrounding the pardon is far more about partisan politics than actual justice. The intense focus on a relatively minor offense committed by a private citizen, in contrast to the far more egregious alleged crimes of a former president, reveals a biased and unfair application of the legal system. In the context of this double standard, Biden’s pardon is not only understandable but arguably necessary to correct the gross imbalance. Ultimately, the decision reflects a parental instinct to protect a child from what appears to be a politically motivated persecution.