Maryland Democratic Rep. Glenn Ivey expressed concerns regarding President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, stating that it could have negative implications for the Democratic Party in the future. Ivey warned that the pardon might be used against Democrats when defending the Justice Department from potential attacks by former President Donald Trump in a possible second term.
While acknowledging that he doesn't believe Hunter Biden would have faced prosecution in most scenarios, Ivey emphasized that granting a pardon at this juncture could be exploited by political opponents. He highlighted Trump's nomination of Kash Patel to lead the FBI as evidence of potential misuse of the Justice Department for retribution.
As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Ivey expressed understanding of the desire to shield Hunter Biden from unjust prosecution. However, he cautioned that this move could be weaponized by the opposition during efforts to safeguard the Department of Justice from politicization.
Ivey's remarks underscore the delicate balance between protecting individuals from perceived injustices and safeguarding the integrity of institutions from political interference. The potential repercussions of Biden's pardon on the Democratic Party's credibility in defending the Justice Department against future attacks were a focal point of Ivey's concerns.