President Biden pardons his son Hunter Biden

The prior president pardoned a family member who was blackmailing and raping people, then appointed the same criminal to be ambassador to France. I don't give a fuck what President Biden does now. We're a country of criminals and oligarchs now.

Critics argue the move undermines the judicial process, ...

Oh shut the fuck up.

The votes came in. The country chose corruption and “fuck it” politics. At this point Joe just wants to protect himself / family from the coming retribution administration.

I’ve always found it absurd that presidents possess the authority to grant pardons. It trivializes our judicial system and undermines its integrity. This power should not be vested in the presidency.

He said he wouldn't but at this point Joe might as well YOLO idk anymore.

Lol.

Most of these comments are a great example of how stupid Americans are.

All my life Dems have been held to a higher standard. I've watched them take the high road so many times while the Republicans went low. Continued to honor decorum when Republicans refused.

And guess what happened?

Americans told them to go fuck themselves and voted for blatant Republican corruption instead.

And now there's a bunch of comments in here whining about how Democrats are corrupt for doing this.

Go fuck yourselves. Clowns.

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'm not a fan of the nepotism and I don't plan on defending it. Biden claims he needs to do this to keep his family safe from an unfair system. If he's going to do stuff like this and acknowledge our institutions are flawed how about do stuff for the American people, Ukraine, or anyone without the last name Biden. The peaceful transfer of power to fascism, but his family got theirs leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

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.

i would have said 'no' a little while ago but now fuck it, the people have spoken. the problem now is that he isn't doing enough fuckery to benefit the people. supreme court declared that the president is above the law and he isn't doing anything with that. sc did it for trump but biden could and should use it. literally send everything on the dod depot to ukraine, give unlimited funds to solar and wind, forgive every loan and shoot modafukin steve bannon in the face

I'm not happy about this. Not one bit. Just like how I wouldn't have been happy to hear about Trump pardoning one of his own kids for breaking the law. As a matter of fact, I'm furious reading some of the comments in this thread.

It shocks me to see people defending this. We fought against the Republicans to prevent misuse of executive powers exactly like this. How the fuck can you sit there and rationalize this while saying it's wrong for Trump to pardon the Jan 6th insurrectionists? or himself for that matter?

This is a black stain on Biden's presidential legacy. It's shit like this that puts wind in the sails of all the crazy Republican conspiracy theorists out there. Now, every single motherfucker who ranted and raved about the "Biden Crime Family" since 2020 was just proven right, just like how all the people who said that Trump's convictions were politically motivated were proven right when Jack Smith dropped the charges. It makes us look like fucking morons and hypocrites.

No, before anyone says it, it is not smart to stoop to their level when basically the only messaging we sent out during the entire 2024 campaign was that we were the morally superior choice. That someone who doesn't respect the rule of law has no business being president. Now, we don't even have that to lean on.

Biden could literally dress up like Commando and slaughter the Supreme Court on live tv without “undermining the judicial process.” Can’t undermine something if it doesn’t exist.

This is SUPREME CORRUPTION! What next? He's going to Appointment Family Members to Government Positions? Allow the Highest Bidders to Buy OVERSIGHT Positions? SELL Pardons? DISGUSTING!

It's not a great look...but let's be frank. Biden was pushed out of a race he wanted, during a presidency that wasn't all that bad considering what came before. The Dems that wanted him out are now all either infighting, or saying everything is fine and they'll definitely win in four years. Biden's in the last weeks of his job, and when he's lost so much already he probably just wants to ensure his family are safe.

After decades of public service, and being committed to handing power over to someone that's demonized what's left of his family, I'm all for Biden using his last week or two to protect his family and enjoy retirement.

I am more shocked by people supporting Biden's action than the action itself

I don’t love it, but I get it

That pardon smells fishy, but I can understand that he does not want to leave his son exposed to imprisonment under Trump. Donald has shown time and again that he has no problems in going after weak persons to extract petty revenge.

Remember guys, it's not corruption when it's legal...

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.

Stop with the whataboutism, this is the political class acting in its own interest at no benefit to any of us. If anything this discredits the legal system and is to our detriment.

I wish presidents can just give legal status to people. Just give everyone currently in the US citizenship status. It'd be epic.

Leonard Peltier? Edward Snowden?

Good. I hope the democrats play just as dirty and hard as the republicans going forward. We cannot be civil with barbarians.

Considering Hunter Biden was the victim of a politically motivated witch hunt, and not an actual criminal. I have no problem with this,

Honestly, who cares? Good for him.

It's almost like our government only really functions to bail out rich/well-connected fuck ups. What's new?

Not American, so forgive me if I don't understand the full context, but why is this more upsetting then when Trump pardoned a relative or when Clinton did it?

Not a great look but at the same time I am not upset about it.

I'm not surprised and I don't really care. Last time I checked the charges against him were kinda bullshit and it was clear to me that red team was pushing for him to face charges out of spite. It's funny to see Trump get mad about it though, he would have pardoned his own kid a long time ago if he were in that position. Well, maybe not Eric, but definitely Don Jr, Ivanka, or maybe the other ones.

"Critics argue the move undermines the judicial process, while supporters view it as within Biden’s constitutional powers."

Both things are true though. The pardon power exists as a check on the judicial branch, so it certainly undermines it in the same way that the veto undermines legislative decisions by congress. The constitution gives the president the authority to do some pretty blatant undermining, but checks work in the other direction too if the branches are acting as co-equals and not just shilling for one of the others.

Republicans seemed to have successfully done a false equivalency. They lied about witch hunts and then did one, and then when the president swatted it away people reacted with, "Oh, they're both the same."

Trump pardons traitors, insurrectionists, Nazis. A witch hunt victim is in the same league, because family I guess. Not like that was the reason for the witch hunt or anything!

Democrats are twisting this as a great thing now after Biden said he would never do this, what a total bunch of hypocrites.

Once again more "it's okay when our side does it" from them.

Meh, fuck it. Our justice system is dead.

Of course he did. If you thought otherwise you were gullible. Politicians lie and party affiliation makes no difference. Save the outrage for the truly outrageous things the next 4 years are going to bring.

Lol I don't give a fuck, if I had a functional democracy with justice then maybe k would care, but this system is clearly FUBAR

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.

Trump's entire stchick is gaming every system to manipulate things in his favour. The Dems always take the higher ground and always get pounded. Every single time - Gore in 2000, particularly.

If Biden 'pardons' his son to ameliorate Hunter's political persecution, then it's a step in the right direction to push back. Tame as it is, the Dems better learn to fight fire with napalm before all is lost.

People who were already sure Joe was going to pardon his oddly-named son: everyone.

Republicans overjoyed this outgoing president is now "just like" the worst human ever to run for office: all of them. "Whataboutism" is an alien term.

Political prisoners still incarcerated left to pardon: none.

Let the guy gather his family so he can travel far away from the despot felon and be safe in retirement. Don't envy that he can and we can't.

Critics argue the move undermines the judicial process, while supporters view it as within Biden’s constitutional powers.

It's both. I'm very disappointed by this. I had hoped Biden would maintain integrity on this.

The GOP has zero moral fibers to stand on. Joe free yourself from these Nazi shits.

"We take the high road" mfers when the low road people go after his son:

Yeah I would be fine with this IF he also used the expanded powers granted to him by Trump's Supreme Court to block the incoming fascist/monarchist takeover. Or, fine, don't try to block them with anything that gives the courts a chance to clarify that ruling, but also don't transfer power smoothly and peacefully to these bastards in any way shape or form, you know? If you're saying "fuck it", then fuck ALL of it; not just the parts of it that affect you personally.

Oh hey look, precedent.

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

Thank fuck the guy you've all been defending did a selfish act just for himself and his family before ditching us all to die.

Vote with a brick next time.

Good old Lemmy, defending its owners. Wage slaves in spirit lmao

The scary thing about this is not that he did it. But that this is where we are at. I believe (I'm not from the us and don't follow politics so could be wrong). That Biden believed in the system and thought others did too.

But with Trump coming in, he now believes the system is broken. What he believed in is broken. And as such he's getting what's his, for himself. And now democrat or Republican they both will stomp on the US system to get what they want.

And I have no doubt that the US people are really going to learn what that truly means. When you throwaway the guard rails that you used to believe in. I hope you watch closely.

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.

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.

I've been a supporter since I was first able to vote for Obama's first term. Not anymore, guys. You don't do enough for us but virtue-signal when you have the ability to and you only think about yourselves when you don't. I just don't believe in them. They don't stop fascism, they pause it, and in some cases, contribute to it by their cowardice, and pardoning his son is just taking a shit on all of us right before he leaves.

I fully intend to do as much for the Democratic party of America going forward, as they have done for me, by ignoring them and pretending they don't exist.

then the fascists will win

What's this will shit? Buckle up, buttercup. The time for voting has passed. We're in the endgame now.

Biden 2028!

"Hey, you've seen my hog and you know I was a crackhead."

Trump'll pardon all the Jan 6'ers in jail when he gets into office. Actual insurrectionist criminals.

Lmao

It's bullshit that this is even controversial.

Hunter individually didn't really deserve a pardon for tax offenses but I can understand it. Hopefully since we're going full fuck it mode with presidential powers Biden can do something much more deserving of the powers like removing marijuana as a controlled substance and pardoning non-violent marijuana felons.

So harvey dent was right, You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain.

Uncanny

Cool cool. Now have Trump shot in the face.

The trolls are getting kicked out of Bluesky and landing here lol

pardoning the j6 in 1 month, eh

Fuck that. Peacefully handing over the country to the oligarchy and this is what he uses his now completely unlimited presidential power for. What a fucking dick.

He could have expanded the court. He could have abolished the electoral college. He could have assassinated Trump. He could have done anything to help anyone but his family but he didn't. What a fucking dick.

EDIT: Not suggesting he should have gone dark Brandon and assassinated Trump.

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.

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.

That's wild. Lots of people thought he would wait until sentencing to decide.

Looking at all this from the outside, it is sad to see how blind people get, by picking sides. Both sides are terrible. Sure, one side may be more or less terrible than the other, but it all stinks and it is sad to see it happen to a country that the rest of the world looked up to, only 30 yrs ago

Power corrupts. If you have the opportunity to help a family member without any blowback, eventually the opportunity will soften you up.

And then the same power goes to Trump, who's not in need of corrupting, since he's already fully baked.

I guess it would be better if a power to bypass the justice system wasn't available. A creative and unethical person can do a lot of things with it. Bad things.

I love how the top comment is essentially whataboutism.

Post: Joe Biden does thing.

Lemmy: TRUUUUUUUUMP.

Wish my dad was a millionaire president.

Good.

Why should Democrats continue taking the high ground now? Americans just overwhelmingly voted for blatant corruption. Nothing matters anymore. No reason for Dems to play it straight when they already tried that and Americans didn't respect it.

Corruption is in. Let's do it.

Who actually cares apart from phony politicians? This dude didn't do anything that's actually a real "crime". Ofc any reasonable parent would do the same. Yes, the injustice system is completely oppressive and violent but that doesn't mean we should selectively celebrate it. There are farrrrr bigger problems (eg. genocide).

Lol this thread is awful. The amount of you guys defending this because it's "your team", absolutely pathetic blue MAGA trash

For those of you who want to act like this is no big deal, he didn't do anything too bad, it's a non-issue please watch Nate the Lawyer's video on it.

presidential pardons shouldn't be based on personal intrests. you have opened the floodgates for Trump

The only crime Hunter Biden ever committed was being named "Biden"

Sentencing was in 2 days, which is still plenty of time for Biden to have pardoned if the sentence was out of line with normal sentencing guidelines-- aka, a "witchhunt". Hunter was tried by a group of his peers for tax and gun crimes he clearly committed. I dont see how it could have been a witch hunt, since the congressional inquiry was shut down.

So why did Biden issue pardon before sentencing? One can only assume Hunter was about to get a sentence thats just fine and in line with his conviction. If he was about to get "nailed" in a "witch hunt" as some people said here, it would have been better to wait for the alleged abusive judicial behavior to be apparent before acting. Biden made the choice not to wait, therefore there is probably no clear unfairness to point to in Hunters case. We will never 100% know the truth either way, but the witchhunt theory just doesnt line up with the facts we can see with our own eyes.

So, Biden very likely abused his authority to let his son off for crimes that he should be accountable for as a citizen. Biden brought justice in the country down a notch for personal gain. Yet again, the man is not worthy of his office. Neither is Harris or Trump. They are all self centered corrupt opportunists acting for other reasons than the job is supposed to be about.

Evidently if it saves his son a single year in jail, Biden will wipe his rear with his party's dignity, if not the entire concept of justice in this country.

Democrats and Trump are now even. Both witch hunts can be dropped.

ITT: the hypocrisy of liberals on full display. No shame.