Biden’s Controversial Pardon of Hunter Ignites Furious Backlash Within Democratic Ranks

President Joe Biden’s decision to grant a full and unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, has sent shockwaves through Washington, exacerbating tensions within a Democratic Party already struggling to rebuild trust after significant electoral losses.

While the pardon drew some sympathy from fellow Democrats, a substantial wave of criticism has emerged, with many arguing the move undermines public faith in American institutions.

Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) described the pardon as understandable from a father’s perspective but unwise as a presidential decision.

Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.) outright condemned it, calling it “wrong,” while Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) noted it placed “personal interest ahead of duty” and further eroded trust in the justice system.

Biden’s announcement of the pardon on Sunday marked a stark reversal for the White House, which had consistently maintained that the president would not intervene in his son’s legal troubles.

The pardon absolves Hunter Biden of all federal crimes committed during an 11-year period, including charges of tax evasion and lying on gun forms.

Biden justified his decision by asserting that the charges were politically motivated, fueled by former President Trump and Republican-led investigations.

Hunter Biden’s legal team argued in a 52-page defense that the charges were unprecedented and targeted him solely due to his last name.

However, many Democrats criticized the sweeping clemency, fearing it bolstered Republican narratives of a “rigged” justice system. Representative Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) echoed the sentiment, calling the pardon a setback for efforts to restore public trust in government.

Even Democrats who have decried the Republican focus on Hunter Biden’s business dealings expressed unease.

Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) pointed to the unique nature of presidential pardons, stating, “What other father in America has the power to pardon their son?” Connolly proposed revisiting the Constitution’s pardon clause to prevent future instances of familial clemency.

The backlash was amplified by Biden’s reversal of his long-standing position against pardoning Hunter. Representative Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), a former federal prosecutor, supported Biden’s rationale but lamented the broken promise. "It is discouraging that he has now gone back on his word,” Goldman said.

Criticism was particularly pronounced among Democrats in competitive districts, who see public disapproval of the pardon as a potential political liability.

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) stressed that “no family should be above the law.” Others warned that the pardon could undermine the party’s efforts to distance itself from Trump-era controversies and rebuild confidence in the justice system.

Despite the backlash, a handful of Democrats defended Biden’s decision. Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) dismissed GOP criticisms, highlighting Trump’s numerous legal entanglements and praising Biden for taking a stand against what she described as a weaponized justice system under Republican influence.

The pardon also reignited debates over the fairness and scope of presidential clemency powers. Critics, including some Democrats, argued the move contradicts the party’s longstanding emphasis on respect for law enforcement and impartial justice.

Comparisons were drawn to past presidential pardons, including Trump’s clemency for Charles Kushner and Bill Clinton’s pardon of his half-brother, Roger Clinton. However, these examples offered little solace to those concerned about the political ramifications of Biden’s decision.

Republicans swiftly capitalized on the controversy. Trump lambasted the pardon on Truth Social, calling it a “miscarriage of justice,” and used it to energize his base, drawing comparisons to his own legal challenges.

The Republican narrative framed the pardon as evidence of Democratic corruption, amplifying claims of a double standard within the justice system.

While Biden’s supporters argue the pardon was necessary to shield Hunter from politically motivated attacks, critics believe it will embolden Trump’s rhetoric and weaken the Democratic Party’s credibility.

Representative Jason Crow (D-Colo.) summarized the dilemma, stating, “Presidents hold enormous power and responsibility and must be held to a higher standard. Upholding the fabric of our democracy is one of our most important tasks.”

Biden’s move has left his party grappling with the fallout, with some calling for reforms to the presidential pardon process to prevent similar controversies in the future.

Whether the decision will have lasting political consequences remains to be seen, but it has undeniably complicated the Democrats’ efforts to rebuild trust and unify their platform ahead of the next election cycle.