President Joe Biden has decided to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, even after repeatedly stating that he would not spare him from sentencing in separate federal court cases. This decision comes with just under 47 days remaining in Biden’s term before President-elect Trump’s inauguration. Some elected officials have called on Biden to issue pardons for other Americans, including “preemptive pardons” for Democrats who could face prosecution under a potential second Trump administration.
Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ed Markey has expressed concern about Trump acting in a “fascistic way” upon re-election and has called on Biden to preemptively pardon Democrats who may be targeted. These preemptive pardons could include those involved in prosecuting Trump on charges he has deemed as unjust. There have been calls for sweeping pardons to address mass incarceration and rectify injustices in the legal system, particularly focusing on elderly and chronically ill individuals, those on death row, and women punished for defending themselves against abuse.
Outgoing Utah Sen. Mitt Romney suggested earlier this year that Biden should have pardoned Trump from his indictments, citing it as a missed opportunity for the President. Biden has primarily issued pardons for individuals convicted of drug crimes during his term, with some calls for clemency for individuals affected by mandatory minimum sentences under the 2018 First Step Act. There’s also been support for pardoning Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to ensure press freedom and prevent targeting of journalists.
Hunter Biden’s guilty plea in a gun case has raised concerns about Biden’s decision to pardon him and the potential politicization of the Justice Department. Hunter also faces charges related to tax offenses, though it remains to be seen if Biden will extend a pardon for those as well. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has indicated that the President is considering additional pardons and clemency announcements in the coming weeks. Overall, Biden’s actions on pardons and clemency have sparked debate and criticism from various quarters.
