Staff Reports
In the grand tradition of presidential parting gifts, Joe Biden has decided to leave a mark on American jurisprudence, or perhaps just a big old stain. In a move that would make even the most laissez-faire reformist raise an eyebrow, he has announced a sweeping round of clemency, granting pardons to 39 “non-violent” offenders and commuting the sentences of an astounding 1,500 others. This self-congratulatory spree is touted as the largest clemency grant in the annals of American history. One might wonder if it’s an act of benevolence or just another misguided attempt to paint himself as a compassionate leader on the way out the door.
However, the optics of this latest clemency extravaganza are practically a comedy show, thanks to Biden’s own son, Hunter. The president’s decision to pardon his son for a laundry list of serious offenses, including gun crimes and tax evasion, raises more than a few eyebrows and sets a glaring double standard. While the families of countless non-violent offenders may share a collective eye roll at the notion of mercy bestowed upon Biden Jr., it offers a tantalizing glimpse into the murky waters of privilege—a classic case of “do as I say, not as I do.”
Further muddying the waters is the premise that just because someone wasn’t convicted of a violent crime, they must be a model citizen. It’s akin to claiming that a food critic who writes scathing reviews isn’t a glutton just because they’ve never been caught at an all-you-can-eat buffet. The selective nature of such clemency casts doubt on the integrity of the criminal justice system. After all, skilled lawyers can cull down almost any case to a misdemeanor, prompting skepticism about who really deserves a break and who’s merely playing the system.
Not Surprisingly, Biden Abuses His Power of Clemency as He Has Abused All His Other Powershttps://t.co/7270W4cBlD
— PJ Media (@PJMedia_com) December 12, 2024
Biden has been heralded as a pioneer in many unearned categories during his administration, but this looks more like a frantic grab for virtue points as he approaches what could be a very limited exit from the Oval Office. Where previous presidents have exercised their clemency powers judiciously, Biden seems laser-focused on securing a legacy as the president who threw open the floodgates. His obsession with being first or the largest is a telling sign that perhaps his heart is in the right place — if only he could stop stepping on his own message.
The administration’s attempt to spin these pardons as an effort towards equity and justice might sound compelling, but it becomes farcical when juxtaposed with the obvious favoritism shown to Hunter Biden. The excuse that these individuals have demonstrated remorse and some semblance of rehabilitation has little weight when the president’s own son skates through the system unscathed. Rather than leveling the playing field, Biden’s actions have effectively cemented a very different standard of “justice”—one where the powerful can count on the sort of mercy the average American can only dream about.
