Top House Democrat says Hunter Biden pardon was ‘disappointing,’ calls out Biden for flip-flop

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., expressed his disappointment in President Biden for going back on his word and pardoning his son, Hunter, on Wednesday. Aguilar, who chairs the House Democratic caucus, acknowledged that he understood Biden’s decision “as a father,” but emphasized that the pardon did not align with the rule of law. Rep. Ted Lieu, who also attended the press conference with Aguilar, chose not to comment on the pardon.

“As a father, I can empathize with President Biden’s decision, but as someone who values the importance of upholding the rule of law, I find it disappointing,” Aguilar stated. He went on to express his disappointment in the fact that Biden had publicly stated that he would not grant a pardon to his son, only to later do so. “The president gave his word and said publicly that he wasn’t going to give a pardon and then he did, so that part is disappointing. I believed him when he said he wasn’t,” Aguilar added.

Aguilar’s sentiments echo those of other Democrats who have openly criticized Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter. California Governor Gavin Newsom also expressed his disappointment with the president’s choice. “With everything the president and his family have been through, I completely understand the instinct to protect Hunter, but I took the president at his word,” Newsom told Politico, emphasizing that he could not support the decision.

In a statement announcing the pardon, Biden defended his actions by criticizing what he viewed as a politically motivated investigation into Hunter. “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son — and that is wrong,” the president wrote.

Biden had previously pledged not to intervene in his son’s legal troubles, first after Hunter’s conviction on felony firearm charges in June, and again after Hunter pleaded guilty to federal charges of tax evasion in September. “I am not going to do anything,” Biden had stated earlier in the year. “I will abide by the jury’s decision.”

The pardon of Hunter Biden has sparked controversy and disappointment among Democratic lawmakers, with Aguilar and Newsom among those openly expressing their disapproval of President Biden’s decision. The unfolding saga surrounding Hunter Biden’s legal troubles continues to be a topic of discussion and debate within political circles.