President Joe Biden's decision to give a wide-ranging pardon his son Hunter on Sunday night received widespread criticism across the political spectrum, especially as he had vowed not to do so throughout his administration.
Condemnation not only came from Republicans, who rushed to take shots at the president, Trump first of them. It has also come from Democratic officials, who expressed their disappointment.
Colorado Senator Michael Bennet is one of them. In a publication on X, he said that Biden's decision "put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans' faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all."
Rep. Jason Crow, also from Colorado, called the decision a "mistake" and said while he sympathizes "with a father's love, especially in a family that has experienced to much personal tragedy" and the "legal arguments in favor of a pardon," they are "never judged solely on the merits of the case, particularly when it involves a family member."
The Hunter Biden pardon was a mistake. I sympathize with a father's love, especially in a family that has experienced so much personal tragedy. I also understand the legal arguments in favor of a pardon.
— Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) December 2, 2024
But Presidential pardons are never judged solely on the merits of the case,…
"Presidents hold enormous power and responsibility and must be held to a higher standard. They must instill trust and promote the American people's faith in their democracy. And right now, upholding the fabric of our democracy is one of our most important tasks," he added.
And the state's governor, Jared Polis, said that that he understood Biden's "natural desire to help his son" but he is "disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country." "This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation. When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation," he added.
Michigan's Gary Peters echoed the message shortly after, saying a "president's family and allies shouldn't get special treatment." "This was an improper use of power, it erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens other to bend justice to suit their interests."
President Biden’s decision to pardon his son was wrong. A president's family and allies shouldn't get special treatment. This was an improper use of power, it erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests.
— Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) December 2, 2024
Arizona Rep. Greg Stanton, on his end, said Biden "got this one wrong." "This wasn't a politically-motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies, and was convicted by a jury of his peers," he said on X. Other lawmakers who criticized the move include Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, from Washington and Vermont Senator Peter Welch.
There were also some who defended Biden, including Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois, who said he understood the president's "humane" decision and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, of Texas. "Let me be the first to congratulate the president for deciding to do this, because at the end of the day, we know that we have a 34-count convicted felon about to walk into the White House," she said on MSNBC.
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