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Joe Manchin’s Controversial Advice to Biden Following Hunter’s Pardon
Joe Manchin, the Democratic Senator from West Virginia who is not seeking reelection, has expressed his views on President Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. Known for his willingness to diverge from party lines, Manchin suggested that Biden’s decision could have been more equitable had it included a pardon for former President Donald Trump.
In an interview with CNN’s Manu Raju, Manchin articulated his thoughts, stating that while he empathizes with the reasons behind Biden’s pardon for Hunter, he believes it would have been advantageous for Biden to also consider pardoning Trump. “As a father, I don’t know a father that wouldn’t have done the same thing. However, I would have approached it differently,” he remarked, suggesting a broader application of clemency. “Why don’t you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump for all his charges and make it, you know, it’d have gone down a lot more balanced,” he added.
Manchin’s remarks highlight his concern that Biden’s decision could complicate the public’s perception of his presidency. “It makes it difficult to assess Biden’s legacy,” he stated.
Biden announced the pardon on Sunday, which absolves Hunter Biden of crimes committed from 2014 until December 1, 2024. In his statement, the President emphasized that Hunter was unfairly targeted due to his familial ties, a sentiment that sparked varied reactions across political lines.
Critics, including members of the press and some centrists within the Democratic Party, have expressed dissatisfaction with the pardon, while Trump and his allies launched their own critiques. Notably absent from the discussions surrounding Manchin’s commentary are references to the numerous pardons Trump granted during his presidency. These include last-minute clemencies for controversial figures such as Roger Stone and Paul Manafort, as well as for Steve Bannon, which occurred shortly before leaving office.
Furthermore, Manchin did not address the gravity of the charges against Trump, which involve allegations related to an insurrection following the 2020 election results. His omission raises questions about the context in which he frames his advice.
Another layer to this discussion is Biden’s past assurances, which included a promise not to use his presidential pardon power to aid Hunter. The decision marks a deviation from that commitment and has led observers to wonder about the political ramifications and Biden’s evolving stance on his son’s legal troubles.
Manchin’s suggestion comes almost three years after he himself faced criticism for undermining Biden’s legislative agenda, particularly regarding the “Build Back Better” initiative. His history of breaking promises may lead some to question the sincerity or practicality of his current advice.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Biden’s response to Manchin’s controversial suggestion remains to be seen.
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