Recently ousted Dem senator said he’s ‘getting the f— out of here’ when asked about presidential pardon
Sen. Jon Tester is facing scrutiny from reporters as he nears the end of his time in Congress after losing his long-held Montana Senate seat. President Biden recently pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, sparking controversy over the decision to absolve him of any potential charges for crimes committed between January 2014 and December 2024.
When asked about Biden’s pardon of his son, Tester responded bluntly, saying, “I’m one month from getting the f— out of here. Ask somebody who counts.” This statement comes following Tester’s defeat by Republican Navy SEAL Sen.-elect Tim Sheehy in a closely watched race.
Democrats on Capitol Hill have been critical of Biden’s decision to pardon his son, with Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan stating, “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.” Similarly, Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado expressed concerns that the pardon undermines faith in the fairness and equality of the justice system.
Tester’s office was unavailable for comment at the time of publication. The controversy surrounding Biden’s pardon of his son highlights ongoing debates about the integrity of the justice system and the potential for abuse of power within political families.
As Tester prepares to leave Congress, the aftermath of Biden’s controversial decision will continue to fuel discussions about ethics, accountability, and the perception of justice in American politics.
