Written by Samuel Carter.

In a controversial move that has sparked heated debate, President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon to his son, Hunter Biden. The pardon extends not just to existing felony convictions but also covers potential future charges over the next ten years. This unprecedented act has raised questions about justice, accountability, and the boundaries of presidential power. Critics argue that this maneuver was less about compassion and more about political calculus, coming at a pivotal moment before a likely power transition to a Trump-led administration.

The optics of this decision are troubling. Granting clemency amid Hunter Biden’s ongoing legal troubles suggests an implicit acknowledgment of wrongdoing, underscoring how deeply personal connections can skew the administration of justice. The pardon’s broad scope—potentially shielding Hunter from future prosecution—sends a troubling message about the limits of legal accountability. Moreover, whispers of further clemencies for figures like Liz Cheney, Adam Schiff, and Anthony Fauci amplify concerns about the politicization of presidential pardon powers, with Biden allegedly preempting potential investigations by a Republican-led government.

Pardons as Political Armor

Revelations from White House insiders, reported by Politico, point to a strategic use of presidential pardons as a defensive tool. The individuals under consideration—staunch critics of Donald Trump or key players in contentious policies—highlight a deliberate effort to shield allies and shape the Democratic legacy. Figures such as Adam Schiff, central to impeachment efforts, or Anthony Fauci, a divisive public health leader, appear to be beneficiaries of a political safety net rather than an impartial justice system.

This raises an unsettling question: Can the executive branch use pardons as a preemptive shield against legal accountability? While the Constitution grants presidents broad clemency powers, the notion of pardoning allies for crimes they may never be charged with undermines the fundamental principle that no one is above the law. Such moves could embolden future administrations to prioritize political loyalty over the rule of law, eroding public faith in governmental fairness and objectivity.

The Nation Responds

The public’s reaction has been predictably polarized. Conservative leaders like Donald Trump and Rep. Tom Tiffany have decried the clemencies as blatant abuses of power, accusing Biden of turning the justice system into a partisan tool. Meanwhile, many on the left justify these actions as necessary to protect political allies from what they view as vindictive prosecutions by a future Trump administration.

For critics, this strategy represents a dangerous precedent. Pardons for uncharged crimes not only blur the lines between justice and politics but also trivialize the rule of law. In shielding figures like Fauci or Cheney, the Biden administration risks normalizing the idea that legal immunity is a privilege of the elite. This perception could deepen the already pervasive distrust in government institutions and exacerbate societal divisions.

Our Take

President Biden’s approach to clemency undermines key conservative principles of accountability, fairness, and justice. By leveraging the pardon power for political purposes, he has opened a Pandora’s box of executive overreach, with long-lasting implications for the integrity of American governance.

This trend is harmful to the public for several reasons:

• It Undermines Justice: By shielding allies from potential accountability, Biden signals that the elite can evade the law through political connections.
• Encourages Future Partisanship: This sets a precedent for future administrations to prioritize political loyalty over impartial justice, worsening the cycle of partisan retribution.
• Erodes Public Trust: When justice is perceived as selective, faith in government institutions crumbles, fostering cynicism and division among the populace.

While some argue this is a defensive measure against an anticipated Trump administration, it ultimately reflects poorly on the Biden administration’s commitment to the rule of law. If the justice system becomes another partisan tool, it is not just political opponents who lose—it is the American people, whose trust and faith in governance are the ultimate casualties.