Several House Democrats are pushing for more limitations on the executive branch’s clemency powers following President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter. Rep. Steve Cohen has introduced a constitutional amendment to limit presidential pardon powers, which would prevent pardons for the President, their family, administration officials, and campaign staff. Lawmakers have criticized Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter, with some expressing concerns about the broad nature of the pardon setting a precedent for future abuse. Some Democrats have indicated openness to limitations on pardons, with Rep. Glenn Ivey suggesting a focus on people jailed for minor offenses needing clemency.
Rep. Joaquin Castro and Rep. Greg Landsman also expressed support for discussing Cohen’s bill, despite skepticism from Republicans. Rep. Mike Ezell believes that the current system, which has been in place for hundreds of years, should remain unchanged. Rep. Ralph Norman accused Biden of abusing his pardon powers, while House GOP Policy Chairman Gary Palmer emphasized that while Biden may have overstepped his authority, eliminating pardon powers entirely would not be justified. Republicans seem to be divided on the issue of whether to limit presidential pardon powers.
Hunter Biden’s pardon covers any possible crimes between 2014 and December 2024, including separate firearms and tax charges he was facing. President Biden defended his decision by accusing Republicans of unfairly prosecuting his son and weaponizing the justice system against him. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, promised “reform” during a press conference but did not provide further details. The pardon has been criticized for being a perversion of justice and undermining the public’s faith in the legal system, with calls for reforms to ensure greater accountability and transparency in the use of pardon powers.
While some Democrats support limitations on pardon powers to prevent abuse and conflicts of interest, others believe that the focus should be on addressing injustices in the criminal justice system through clemency for those jailed for minor offenses. Republicans are split on the issue, with some questioning the need for changes to the current system that has been in place for centuries. President Biden’s decision to pardon his son has sparked controversy and calls for reform, with concerns about the potential for abuse and undermining the rule of law. The debate surrounding presidential pardon powers is likely to continue as lawmakers grapple with how to ensure accountability, fairness, and justice in the exercise of clemency powers.
