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Senate Democrat Critiques Hunter Biden’s Pardon
Another Senate Democrat has voiced criticism regarding Hunter Biden’s recent pardon granted by President Biden.
Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) expressed his views on social media, stating, “President Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter is, as the action of a loving father, understandable—but as the action of our nation’s Chief Executive, unwise.”
This development follows President Biden’s announcement of the pardon, in which he contended that Hunter Biden’s prosecution was motivated by partisan politics. The charges stemmed from an incident in 2018 related to the purchase and possession of a firearm, which culminated in three felony charges against the younger Biden.
Biden articulated that, “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 decision to pardon sparked backlash from Republican lawmakers. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) condemned the action, describing it as a misuse of the justice system. On social media, Johnson remarked, “President Biden insisted many times he would never pardon his own son for his serious crimes. But last night he suddenly granted a ‘Full and Unconditional Pardon’ for any and all offenses that Hunter committed for more than a decade! Trust in our justice system has been almost irreparably damaged by the Bidens and their use and abuse of it.”
Discontent surrounding the pardon isn’t confined to Republican criticism. Several Democrats have also expressed their concerns. Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Senator Michael Bennet have publicly stated their disapproval of the pardon. Bennet emphasized that the president’s decision prioritized personal interests over public duty, which he believes undermines public confidence in the fairness and equality of the justice system.
In defense of the decision, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre explained that the president felt compelled to act due to ongoing political pressures. She mentioned during a press briefing aboard Air Force One that the president believed his political adversaries would continue pursuing Hunter Biden’s prosecution in any future administration. Jean-Pierre stated, “One of the reasons the president did the pardon is because it didn’t seem like his political opponents would let go of it, it didn’t seem like they would move on. And so, this is why this president took this action.”
The Hill has made inquiries to the White House for additional commentary regarding the pardon.
Source
thehill.com