Conservative filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza faced widespread online criticism for hypocritically condemning President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter, given D’Souza’s own 2018 presidential pardon from Donald Trump for campaign finance violations. Social media users quickly highlighted this inconsistency, sharing links to news articles detailing his past conviction and pardon. D’Souza’s criticism followed his recent apology for inaccuracies in his film “2000 Mules,” which promoted unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. This apology came after a defamation lawsuit and the film’s distributor also issued an apology and settled with a plaintiff.
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President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter, drew criticism from Donald Trump’s supporters, who were quick to highlight the hypocrisy given Trump’s own pardoning of his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner, in 2020. Kushner, convicted of multiple felonies including witness tampering, received a pardon and was subsequently appointed US Ambassador to France by Trump. Social media users widely pointed out this inconsistency, noting Trump’s extensive history of pardons and the apparent double standard applied to those in power. The debate highlighted concerns about unequal application of justice and the prioritization of political connections over legal consequences.
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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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President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, who faced felony charges including tax evasion and gun-related offenses, citing Republican political pressure influencing the legal process. This action drew immediate condemnation from Republicans, who accused the president of abusing his power and undermining justice. In response, Rep. Jasmine Crockett defended the pardon, highlighting the hypocrisy given President-elect Trump’s own history of controversial pardons and numerous ongoing legal battles. Crockett argued that the pardon pales in comparison to Trump’s actions and that Republicans’ outrage is disingenuous. No evidence linking President Biden to Hunter’s alleged crimes has been found.
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President Biden’s annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon highlights the underutilization of his broader clemency powers. Over 65 members of Congress urged Biden to employ these powers to address systemic injustices within the criminal justice system, specifically citing mass incarceration and the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. This call for action emphasizes the potential for pardons to correct inequities and reduce the substantial financial burden of mass incarceration. Advocates argue for a more expansive use of clemency, referencing the historical precedent of presidents granting pardons to thousands, and highlighting the urgent need for action on death row cases.
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John Q. Hosedrinker