Who else might Biden pardon after he spared Hunter from sentencing?
In a surprising turn of events, President Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden on Sunday, despite previously vowing not to spare him from sentencing in federal court cases. With just under 47 days left in office before President-elect Trump’s inauguration, Biden’s decision to pardon his son has sparked a wave of speculation and debate.
The move has raised questions about the power of presidential pardons and the potential implications for other individuals seeking clemency. Some have even suggested the idea of “preemptive pardons” for Democrats who could face prosecution under a second Trump administration.
Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ed Markey, for example, warned of Trump acting in a “dictatorial” and “fascistic” manner if he were to win a second term, calling on Biden to preemptively pardon Democrats who might be targeted by the former president. This suggestion has ignited a debate about the use of presidential pardons as a tool for political protection.
Meanwhile, a group of elected officials, including representatives Ayanna Pressley, Mary Gay Scanlon, and James Clyburn, have urged Biden to issue sweeping pardons for convicts in an effort to address injustices in the legal system and reunite families torn apart by mass incarceration. They specifically called for pardons for the elderly, chronically ill, those on death row, and women who were punished for defending themselves against their abusers.
On the other side of the political spectrum, outgoing Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, a vocal critic of Trump, suggested that Biden should have pardoned the former president to avoid a drawn-out legal battle. Despite the calls for clemency, Trump’s legal cases have stalled since his election victory.
Additionally, there have been appeals for Biden to use his clemency power to address issues related to drug offenses and criminal justice reform. A bipartisan effort led by representatives James McGovern and Thomas Massie called on Biden to pardon Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, sending a message that the administration will not target journalistic activity.
As the debate over presidential pardons continues to unfold, Biden’s decision to pardon his son has reignited discussions about the scope and limits of executive clemency. With the clock ticking on his time in office, the president faces a challenging and complex landscape of competing interests and demands for justice and mercy. Only time will tell how Biden’s use of his clemency power will shape his legacy and the future of American justice.
