How Biden – and Trump – helped make the pardon go haywire
The debate surrounding presidential pardons has reached a fever pitch, with individual, group, partisan, and preemptive pardons all coming under intense scrutiny. The recent actions of President Biden, who issued a pardon to his son Hunter despite previous assurances to the contrary, have reignited the conversation around this controversial presidential power.
In a recent interview on “Meet the Press,” President Trump mocked Biden’s assurances about not pardoning his son, suggesting that he always knew it would happen. Trump criticized the media for being unfair to him during his presidency, particularly in comparison to his successor. He expressed frustration with the interview process, claiming that other interviewers, like George Stephanopoulos and CNN, were too soft on their subjects.
Despite Biden’s repeated promises not to pardon Hunter, he ultimately issued a sweeping, decade-long pardon to his son, who is a convicted criminal. This decision has raised questions about the motives behind the pardon and whether it indicates that Biden has more to hide. Additionally, there are reports that the Biden White House is considering preemptive pardons for individuals who may be targets of potential Trumpian retaliation.
Accepting a preemptive pardon, however, could be seen as an admission of guilt, which is why some, like Sen.-elect Adam Schiff, have stated that they do not want or will not accept a pardon. The idea of preemptive pardons has been widely criticized as a dangerous precedent that could lead to unchecked power in the hands of the president.
The debate over presidential pardons is not a new one, with historical figures like Alexander Hamilton and George Mason weighing in on the issue during the founding of the country. Hamilton argued that a single person was better equipped to make pardon decisions, while Mason warned of the potential for abuse of power.
As the debate continues to unfold, it is clear that the power of presidential pardons is a significant and potentially dangerous one. With both Biden and Trump expressing concerns about the fairness of the justice system, it is essential to consider the implications of granting sweeping pardons and the potential consequences for the future of the country.
