President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden for federal offenses has sparked intense debate and criticism from various quarters, including prominent media figures and political analysts.
The pardon, announced Sunday, December 1, covers potential federal offenses committed between January 1, 2014 and December 1, 2024. It applies to Hunter Biden’s convictions in two separate federal cases this year.
In defending his decision, President Biden claimed his son was “selectively and unfairly prosecuted” due to political motivations. “The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election,” Biden stated.
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith delivered a pointed critique of the president’s explanation on his show Monday night. “Respectfully, to the president of the United States, specifically as it pertains to that statement, you’re full of it,” Smith declared. He acknowledged understanding a father’s desire to protect his son but questioned the timing and justification of the pardon.
Smith had previously expressed support for President Biden pardoning his son, acknowledging Hunter’s ongoing recovery from addiction and years-long personal struggles. The ESPN analyst noted that any parent, including former President Trump, would likely make a similar choice. However, Smith criticized Biden’s lengthy justification for the pardon, suggesting that a straightforward acknowledgment of using presidential powers to pardon his son would have been more appropriate than offering extensive explanations.
Smith had previously expressed support for President Biden pardoning his son Hunter, acknowledging Hunter’s ongoing recovery from addiction and years-long personal struggles. The ESPN analyst noted that any parent, including former President Trump, would likely make a similar choice. However, Smith criticized Biden’s lengthy justification for the pardon, suggesting that a straightforward acknowledgment of using presidential powers to pardon his son would have been more appropriate than offering extensive explanations. Smith expressed understanding for the parental instinct to protect one’s child while questioning the need for additional commentary about Hunter’s circumstances.
Hunter Biden responded to the pardon in a statement Sunday night, expressing gratitude and commitment to helping others struggling with addiction. “I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction – mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport,” he wrote.
Legal experts suggest the broad nature of the pardon could set a significant precedent. The decision may provide political cover for future presidents to issue expansive pardons to allies, even for undetermined crimes.
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins characterized the pardon as a “political timebomb” affecting Democrats. The decision contradicts Biden’s previous statements about respecting Justice Department rulings and maintaining its independence.
The pardon covers Hunter Biden’s federal gun and tax fraud charges, along with any other potential crimes during his time on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma and other overseas work.
Historical context shows that while Hunter Biden is the closest family member of a president to receive a pardon, other presidents have used their pardon power to clear relatives.
Trump notably pardoned his son-in-law Jared’s father, Charles Kushner, who had been serving a prison sentence.
Biden has granted fewer pardons and commutations overall compared to his predecessors Donald Trump and Barack Obama.