Several prominent voices in the liberal media lauded President Biden's earlier commitment to refrain from pardoning his son, Hunter. They contrasted this stance with that of former President Donald Trump, emphasizing Biden's commitment to the rule of law. This praise occurred months before the president ultimately granted his son a full pardon.
Democratic strategist Julian Epstein criticized the pardon, stating that it weakens the Democrats' position on the rule of law. He also expressed concern that the pardon will be difficult for the public to accept and will further damage the president's image, particularly given existing concerns about his fitness for a second term.
The White House announced the comprehensive pardon, covering any potential offenses committed by Hunter Biden between January 2014 and December 2024. Epstein highlighted the broad scope of the pardon, suggesting it could raise further questions about potential involvement in alleged corrupt activities.
Hunter Biden's legal troubles included a June conviction on three federal gun charges and a September guilty plea in a separate federal tax case.
"This action will, at the very least, severely undermine the Democrats' claims of upholding the rule of law, taxing the wealthy, and supporting background checks."
— Julian Epstein
Epstein argues that the pardon contradicts the image of moral superiority projected by the Democrats. He points out that many Democratic politicians and commentators had previously insisted that Biden would not pardon his son, using this assertion to criticize Trump.
In his pardon announcement, President Biden claimed that the prosecution of his son was politically motivated and orchestrated by his opponents to undermine his election. He further stated that a previously negotiated plea deal, which he considered fair and reasonable, was disrupted by political pressure from his congressional adversaries.
Hunter Biden released a statement acknowledging his past mistakes and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to rebuild his life. He emphasized his commitment to sobriety and his intention to help others struggling with addiction.
The pardon has sparked controversy, with figures like Elon Musk and various politicians highlighting a previous post by President Biden affirming that no one is above the law. Several media outlets had also previously reported on Biden's assertion that he would not pardon Hunter.
