ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith strongly criticized President Biden's reasoning behind his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, shortly before leaving office. The pardon, announced on Sunday, covers potential offenses committed by Hunter Biden between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024, encompassing two federal convictions from this year.
Smith, on his show "The Stephen A. Smith Show," directly addressed the President, stating his disagreement with the justification provided for the pardon. While Smith understood the paternal instinct to protect one's child, particularly a recovering addict, he took issue with Biden's claim that Hunter was "treated differently" due to his political connections.
Smith argued that a simple acknowledgment of his right to pardon his son would have sufficed, rather than attributing the situation to political motivations. He also pointed out the timing of the pardon, coming after the election and following months of discussion about Donald Trump's legal battles, suggesting Biden had planned this all along.
Biden, in his statement, alleged that the charges against Hunter were politically motivated, instigated by his opponents in Congress. He also claimed the original plea deal, which he considered fair, was undermined by political pressure. However, Smith dismissed these claims and criticized Biden for backtracking on his pre-election promise not to pardon his son.
Smith further argued that the Democrats, having pursued Donald Trump vigorously, were now in a weak position to criticize the pardon. He reiterated his belief that Biden should have simply admitted to protecting his son without invoking political narratives.
Hunter Biden, in his own statement, expressed gratitude for his father's clemency, acknowledging his past mistakes and emphasizing his commitment to recovery and helping others struggling with addiction.
