‘Obama Bros’ Criticize Biden’s Decision to Pardon Hunter Biden

Three former aides to President Obama, Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor, harshly criticized President Joe Biden for his decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden, accusing him of making his defenders look “stupid” and undermining the Democratic Party’s credibility.

Known as the “Obama bros” during their White House years, the trio voiced their frustrations on their Pod Save America podcast.

Vietor acknowledged that Biden’s decision made sense on a “human level,” but argued it was politically damaging. “Now everyone looks stupid. Everyone looks like they are full of s---,” Vietor said.

He added that Biden’s reversal on his previous pledge not to pardon his son made him appear like a “typical, lying politician,” which could fuel cynicism about politicians overall.

“This undermines the warnings Democrats have made about Trump’s corruption and threats to democracy,” Vietor said. “It makes it seem like politics as usual, and that’s the most frustrating part. Joe Biden has damaged his own reputation and the Democratic Party’s reputation.”

Favreau expressed outrage that Biden extended clemency to his son but not to others, such as government officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci, who he argued also deserved protection from political retribution.

“The most infuriating part is that he chose to pardon Hunter but didn’t use this opportunity to pardon a whole bunch of other people who were just doing their jobs,” Favreau said.

He also revealed feeling betrayed by Biden. “I believed him. I feel like a f---ing fool. That’s what makes me mad about it,” Favreau admitted, referring to Biden’s earlier promise not to pardon his son.

Biden’s pardon came after Hunter Biden faced two federal convictions this year. In June, Hunter was found guilty of three felony gun charges after lying on a purchase form, claiming he was not using drugs when he was.

Then, in September, he pleaded guilty to federal tax charges. The pardon covers both cases, sparing Hunter from sentencing, and extends to any crimes he “has committed or may have committed” between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024.

Lovett warned that the sweeping nature of the pardon would provide ammunition for Republicans to claim Biden was protecting himself from allegations surrounding his son’s business dealings while Biden was vice president. “Of course, conservatives are going to say, ‘See? Joe Biden is just protecting himself,’” Lovett said.

Although the former aides stressed there was no evidence Biden profited from Hunter’s business ventures, they admitted the optics were harmful to the Democratic Party’s reputation.

Lovett argued that Biden could have framed the pardon differently, as a safeguard against the possibility that President-elect Donald Trump might target political opponents during his upcoming term.

The discussion underscored a broader concern among Democrats that Biden’s actions, while possibly well-intentioned, could erode trust in the party and the president himself.

The former Obama aides emphasized that Biden’s decision not only hurt his standing but also gave Republicans a powerful narrative to weaponize against Democrats heading into the next election cycle.