- cross-posted to:
- politics@lemmy.world
- politics@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- politics@lemmy.world
- politics@lemmy.world
Summary
President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, reversing his prior stance against using executive clemency.
The pardon covers Hunter’s federal gun conviction and tax evasion guilty plea, sparking political controversy.
Biden cited political attacks and a “miscarriage of justice” as reasons for his decision, emphasizing his son’s recovery from addiction and the targeting of his family.
Critics argue the move undermines the judicial process, while supporters view it as within Biden’s constitutional powers.
This decision shields Hunter from potential prison time as Biden nears the end of his presidency.
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What’s funny is the expectation by so many here that a guy “unwaveringly supporting” people mass murdering children for their etnicity would have the Morals to not pardon his own son when he can do it at no cost to himself.
Like all other sociopaths only considerations about “consequences” drive his choices.
pardoning the j6 in 1 month, eh
Is this just a distraction from the incoming administration refusing to sign ethics statements they signed into law, or avoiding background checks for sensitive government positions
Reading through these comments and seeing people excuse this because trump is worse validates the race-to-the-bottom strategy that republicans and democrats cooperate on. Republicans will keep lowering the bar while democrats will continue hovering slightly above that bar as their only differentiator and we’re all on the ride on the way down.
It is wild how they willing to defend their side no matter what. This is absolute abuse of power regardless of detail. Again, it is understandable and expected, but still abuse of power.
I and almost certainly evey other non-psycho father would have done the same.
Is not a race to bottom. It is just the most clear indication that the American system of governance has massive flaws and, as a set of institutions, the system has no way to protect itself from abuse.
Reading through these comments and seeing people excuse this because trump is worse validates the race-to-the-bottom strategy that republicans and democrats cooperate on.
No, you don’t seem to understand. The race to the bottom strategy was a Republican thing. But now that we know that’s how you win in America, some of us are supporting that strategy for Democrats as well.
Gotta adapt to your environment to succeed.
I’m on board with that, but democrats refuse to take advantage of their power for our sake. He’s just doing this for his own sake. This selfishness is what allowed trump a second term, since democrats would’ve had a much better chance if biden stepped down earlier and allowed for a proper primary.
but democrats refuse to take advantage of their power for our sake.
I agree that they could do more. But I also acknowledge that they’ve done WAY more for us than the Republican party has. I don’t vote for perfect. I vote for better.
He’s just doing this for his own sake.
I’m ok with him pardoning his son. First of all, Trump threatened to go after his political opponents if he won. That’s a threat to Biden’s son. So Biden did something about it. Secondly, Biden was, by all metrics, a solid president. And Americans told him and his party to fuck off and re-hired a twice impeached convicted felon and rapist who incited an insurrection and illegally attempted to overturn an election. We treated Biden like shit. He doesn’t owe us anything additional. I think it’s fine to take this small victory to protect his son from unwarranted threats and then retire.
since democrats would’ve had a much better chance if biden stepped down earlier
I agree. But I also have a pretty low opinion of Americans, so I don’t know if it would have mattered in the end.
Um no?
Don’t tell me if you knew the threat to democracy who had a personal vendetta against you and your child was following you in office and has threatened and made blind accusations multiple times that you would NOT pardon them. Biden did the right thing as a parent and a mildly objectionable thing on a moral standpoint politically which… just fuck off with that. I don’t wanna hear about morality from the party that constantly defends rapist and child abusers
I don’t want to hear about morality regarding biden and his full-throated support of genocide. He said he wouldn’t pardon his son and that he believed in the rule of law, but when it comes down to it, he goes ahead and pardons him because he ultimately knows the institutions he has fought so hard to defend are full of shit. Us peasants are still supposed to be held under the power of these institutions, though, and he has done nothing to change that. In fact, he’s played a big hand in making it as bad as it is now with his tough on crime stance.
The gun crime is bullshit. That law isn’t enforced on anyone. It’s also probably unconstitutional if you follow the conservative understanding of that amendment (which is complete bullshit, but that’s beside the point).
Tax evasion, sure. That maybe shouldn’t be pardoned but also it’s only an issue because he’s the president’s son. I don’t dismiss this, but also I recognize that it’s mostly bullshit Republicans drummed up because they couldn’t get anything on Biden.
I will point out to every conservative who defends Trump who says anything about this though. Trump is literally a convicted felon, and multiple cases are being dismissed because he was elected. If they think Hunter shouldn’t get off free, then they better have some strong reasons Trump should.
This pardon also stops any investigation into the “10% for the big guy” email.
God’s getting a cut?
Gun charge “while using illegal drugs”.
Tax fraud.
c’mon now, fuck all that shit. 100% political, “witch hunt”, and all that. I would have thought less of Joe had he not done this.
I wish that my Dad loved me as much as Joe Biden loves his Sons.
I get it now, you simp for Biden because of your daddy issues.
Awwwww muffin…
Clearly your Dad didn’t love you either. (Hugs)
Removed by mod
Eric Trump, is that you?
Man I thought blue MAGA was just a stupid meme but I guess it’s real. Fuck the Democratic Party, I’m out.
You can’t really think that anyone gives a shit about Hunter Biden and his schoolyard antics in a vacuum.
I care about the wealthy and powerful being above the law while working class people get the shaft. Democrats claimed to be concerned about this too. But I guess it was all partisan theatre.
I care about the wealthy and powerful being above the law
This is the opposite of what happened. Hunter was only prosecuted because he was BELOW THE LAW. An ordinary person wouldn’t have been prosecuted for buying a gun.
But the only reason he was being prosecuted was because of his connection to Biden. An average working class person would never have been charged with this crime in the first place.
“he only broke some minor laws”
I don’t feel like searching, but can you find such zealous prosecution for a nobody for these crimes?
Strong argument.
You do have to remember that most of us didn’t give a fuck about this supposed crime to begin with. I mean who Among Us hasn’t lied to the government about our drug history?
Also should mention that it’s clearly unconstitutional by the way.
The cover up is the crime. Why did the FBI spread false Russian Propaganda misinformation?
who Among Us hasn’t lied to the government about our drug history?
Me. I’ve yet to be given the opportunity… but I’ll be happy to lie about if it comes up.
Go buy a firearm, while using legal cannabis products.
Boom! You’re now a felon!
Also should mention that it’s clearly unconstitutional by the way.
Then they should fight it legally and win. That would also set precedent for others who aren’t rich and powerful.
It would also be amusing to watch liberals making a 2A argument in court.
There is no winning in court, if you are an enemy of Trump.
#7thgradedeep
No, its just being a realist. Trump owns the federal courts, since he can just appeal to his hand selected SCOTUS. Who have already ruled everything Trump does is legal.
Fuck it, I’d do the same. Potentially 25 years in prison for non-violent crimes is ridiculous. Might as well use the power to prevent it while you still have it.
So harvey dent was right, You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain.
Uncanny
It’s almost like our government only really functions to bail out rich/well-connected fuck ups. What’s new?
What’s new? People openly simping and celebrating this action as a good thing.
Oh hey look, precedent.
On the one hand this is pretty hypocritical. On the other hand I probably would do the same in his position given that trump plans to weaponize the Justice department. Not great but this is the state our country is in now.
Democrats are pissed because all we had left after this election was our integrity. Biden can do what he wants honestly - he doesn’t owe us anything - but this is still depressing.
A pretty mundane act of fatherhood. If you had the power to prevent your kid from going to jail for something that was done a 5 years ago most people would do it. It wasn’t a violent crime that he is being pardoned from so its not that much different than all the pardons Trump did in his first term for all the fraud convictions.
Just like Harris going to Hawaii immediately after her loss, this sends a clear message.
“I don’t give a fuck. This was always about personal power and wealth.”
Just incase anyone thought the DNC would actually use their defeat as a reason to soul search about how their neoliberal policies no longer serve the people and that’s why people aren’t coming out to vote.
Wish my dad was a millionaire president.
ITT: the hypocrisy of liberals on full display. No shame.
A lot of people here missing the point. We don’t care about this because Hunter was the target of a witch hunt. The actual “crimes” weren’t impactful at all. The Republicans literally spent 8 years dragging him through the mud, digging for anything that he could be charged with, just because who his dad is. And Hunter didn’t even touch politics in the slightest.
The gun charge is the moral equivalent of crucifying someone for having pirated music on their hard drive. It was a nothing crime, never enforced, and the only reason it was in this case was because they happened to find something they could latch onto.
I don’t know anything about the tax evasion conviction. If it was serious, then sure, fuck him. But I’d want them going after every politician AND their family with equal vigor. But guess what? They aren’t.
That’s why most of us don’t really care. The man is not important. He holds no position of power, nor has he expressed any intent to. He is not important, except as a whipping boy for their propaganda. And a pardon for such preposterous prosecution is fine with me.
I don’t know anything about the tax evasion conviction. If it was serious, then sure, fuck him.
If you can’t even be bothered to read an article about it why should any weight be given to your opinion. The tax fraud was 1.4 million dollars and he actively lied on his returns to avoid payment. He effectively stole over a million dollars, fuck him and all tax cheats.
Ok. What part of that conflicts with what I said?
If he cheated on taxes, then fuck him. But I think it’s generally assumed that these fucks all cheat on their taxes. So if you’re going to go after one, then go after all of them.
And again, he’s not actually a politician, and was only targeted because of who his dad is. If you don’t see that as abuse of authority as revenge against his dad, then there’s no point in talking to you.
Also, if you read the fucking article yourself, it never goes into details on the tax charges.
There is no “if,” he did cheat on his taxes for over a million dollars. Yes, go after all of them! The only reason Hunter got away for so long was because of who his dad is, so kind of karmic that it came back around for the same reason. Hunter received far more leniency for a long time for drugs, gun, and financial crimes due to his wealth and families influence and Joe Biden was instrumental in making sure poor people who do the same thing get punished harshly. Until it was HIS son, then all the excuses came out.
Also, if you read the fucking article yourself, it never goes into details on the tax charges.
This article does not, but none of this is new. We have known about these crimes for years. You displayed absolutely zero curiosity about what crimes he did in your haste to whitewash Biden’s hypocrisy. We will not get better politicians or leaders until we demand it.
I do not care that Hunter was not a politician, though that never prevented him from getting paid off his family name and only avoided punishment for so long because of who his father is. I do not care why the charges come about, these rich fucks need to pay. Maybe if the Democrats were willing to see that the rich and powerful actually face consequences Trump and all these right wing grifters might have been dealt with before they came to power. But back when Trump and Kushner were donating to Democratic campaigns none of them managed to give a shit. We should strive for a higher standard of morality than Donald fucking Trump.
First, did Bidden just notice that his son was a target of a “witch hunt” after the election? Or was he just lying before?
And second, Bidden literally controlled the DOJ for 4 years. It was his call whether to go after other corrupt politicians or not.
It’s common practice for outgoing presidents to wrap up loose ends like this. Late term pardons are not a new thing.
He did not just leave it for later, he actively lied saying he will not pardon Hunter.
I mean, true, but does it matter? The new president spits out dozens of lies daily and he got voted in. If anything, this is what the people want, someone who lies to them.
If it doesn’t matter, why is everyone angry at the people who didn’t vote? :D
And?
You gonna leave your son in prison while a criminal president who explicitly stated he’d target his political opponents sits in the Oval Office?
Republicans just blatantly lied their way into total power and you’re over here whining about a Democrat lying about getting his son out of prison for non-violent crimes on his way out of office?
Your priorities are utterly fucked.
I can simultaneously “whine” about multiple things. I guess I am talented at “whining”.
Also, this kind of shit is part of the reason why that orange won in the first place. Democrats putting up a marginally better candidate and pretending to be saviors of the Earth.
The calories you burned typing your complaint about Biden pardoning Hunter are wasted calories. It’s so irrelevant and small compared to the avalanche of bullshit we’ve already dealt with and will be dealing with for the foreseeable future, that it’s comical to even consider. The fact that Trump made it abundantly clear he’d be targeting his political opponents is all the justification needed for Biden to pardon Hunter.
And no, Democrats putting up a “marginally” better candidate is not how the orange dipshit won. First of all, a successful prosecutor with a doctorate in law and a significant political resume isn’t “marginally” better than a twice impeached convicted felon and rapist who instigated a violent insurrection and illegally attempted to overturn an election. I don’t know what dimension someone has to live in to think there’s only a “marginal” difference there. Secondly, the orange dipshit is president because Americans are STUPID. Because Americans don’t do their homework. Americans don’t lookup voting histories so they can see that Democrats are way better about voting in favor of the working class. They don’t look up the conviction histories to find out Democrats have WAY, WAY less convicted criminals who have served in their ranks than Republicans. Americans don’t grasp that you aren’t just voting for the person, but the party. Donald Trump is president…again…because Americans are STUPID. Not because Democrats are only “marginally” better.
The calories you burned
Meh, I can use fewer calories.
Americans are STUPID
Can’t argue there.
Americans don’t grasp that you aren’t just voting for the person, but the party.
You literally vote for specific people in the US, unlike in many countries where you vote for parties. That’s the whole point of your incredibly flawed representatives system. Saying people should vote Harris because of her party is like saying people should buy the terrible and useless apple vision because other apple products are good.
a successful prosecutor with a significant political resume
To most people, those sound like red flags, not advantages.
convicted felon and rapist who instigated a violent insurrection and illegally attempted to overturn an election
I mean, yeah. Americans are stupid. But then again, why should anyone believe those accusations if democrats argue lying is perfectly fine and not an issue?
Guess he changed his mind.
This, I think, is what bothers me. I understand the reasoning but still… The pardoning, no surprise. The lying, makes me a bit sad. I understand the reasoning but it still makes me sad.
Yeah, but he’s a Democrat, so he’s held to higher standards than Republicans.
If a Republican did this you probably wouldn’t have even heard about it.
Do we need any better example than what just happened to know that Democrats are held to astronomically high standards, while Republicans can basically do whatever the fuck they want without repercussion?
She had to be flawless and he got to be lawless.
I think Biden was holding out hope in the institutions and people of America and was sorely disappointed, like a lot of us, so is doing what he has to, like a lot of us.
Then he’s an idiot who had no business in office in the first place.
But he’s not an idiot and he’s been in government for decades. On top of that, he lived through January 6th like the rest of us.
He just didn’t give a shit.
Bingo.
Biden was waiting to see if America’s institutions and citizens would hold up and pass the test. They did not. They failed spectacularly, in fact. A criminal became president and will now not be held accountable for his crimes, and citizens voted explicitly for that corruption.
I’d be damned if I was sitting president if I would let my son be in prison for non-violent crimes when a criminal who openly stated he would target his political opponents sits in the Oval Office.
Clearly taking the high road doesn’t work in America, so why the fuck should Biden continue doing so?
Crocodile tears for this rich shitty little partier silver spooned brat, but anyone else convicted by a jury of their peers should go to jail where they belong, huh.
It is amazing to me how people will make excuses for a lying politician that even he did not bother to make.
What’s amazing to me is that you people fall for the rage bait every time.
And Hunter didn’t even touch politics in the slightest.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_Biden :
"Biden was a founding board member of BHR Partners, a Chinese investment company, in 2013, and later served on the board of Burisma Holdings, one of the largest private natural gas producers in Ukraine, from 2014 until his term expired in April 2019. He has worked as a lobbyist and legal representative for lobbying firms, a hedge fund principal, and a venture capital and private equity fund investor. "
“Biden was hired to help Burisma with requesting assistance from the U.S government to expand its business and corporate governance best practices,”
Im uninformed so I know nothing of Hunter’s supposed crimes. Can I get a quick rundown?
If you’re being serious, the gun charge is that he checked some box on a gun application stating that he didn’t have any drug addiction problems. IIRC, it was after he got his shit together and was sober.
I didn’t follow the tax evasion charge.
I honestly have no in depth knowledge of any of this stuff
We don’t care about this because Hunter was the target of a witch hunt.
He was convicted in court by a jury of his peers same as every other American under charges would see. He wasnt convicted in some political “witch hunt” process in congress, nor was he convicted by an activist judge. The congressional investigation went nowhere and was shut down. Hunters convictions carried a sentence of 15 to 21 months. If his conviction is unfair and needs to be resisted then the entire system of justice in america is unfair.
The actual “crimes” weren’t impactful at all.
thats not your call to make. This is just another case of hard justice being for the little people only, and you seem to be cheering that on. How low can you go, man. Biden spent a lifetime banging tables pretending to be a tough on crime guy. You seem to have forgotten all of that.
He was convicted in court by a jury of his peers same as every other American under charges would see.
So was Trump. But he got away with it and is now President. Hell, he didn’t even have to go through the process for most of his crimes. Just bypassed it all.
Nothing else matters now. The rest of your comment is irrelevant. The justice system is irrelevant.
Free Hunter!!!
This never should have been before a jury.
The prosecution had agreed to drop the gun charge as apart of a plea bargain (because it’s a crime that is only ever used as an add-on for violent crimes). But the fucking judge rejected the plea deal after Biden had admitted guilt.
That’s bullshit and 100% should have been thrown out.
I’m not a lawyer, but I thought the way it worked was that the prosecutor offers the plea bargain and the accused accepts but it’s still up to the judge’s discretion whether that accepted plea bargain goes through, meaning that the system was working as it always works and it wasn’t some sort of special persecution deal.
The judge almost never throws out a plea bargain - and it’s almost unheard of for one to throw it out for not being harsh enough.
They’re more often rejected for thing like a plea bargain where the case should be dismissed entirely or the defendant has a very good chance of winning or securing a lesser conviction at trial. Judges are supposed to err on the side of leniency.
Rejecting a plea bargain because a charge that is almost never prosecuted is being dismissed is judicial malpractice.
The gun crime he was convicted for is one that anyone who has ever smoked pot is guilty of if they ever touched a gun before quitting pot entirely.
If a resident of Colorado eats a gummy legally and has a gun in the safe at home, they’ve committed the same crime.
If Conservatives cared about this law, all they would have to do is pull dispensary ID logs and probably a tenth or more of all gun applicants could be arrested. But they don’t do that because people don’t care, and they just want another law they can apply selectively.
