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submitted 2 weeks ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

Summary

President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, reversing his prior stance against using executive clemency.

The pardon covers Hunter’s federal gun conviction and tax evasion guilty plea, sparking political controversy.

Biden cited political attacks and a “miscarriage of justice” as reasons for his decision, emphasizing his son’s recovery from addiction and the targeting of his family.

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

This decision shields Hunter from potential prison time as Biden nears the end of his presidency.

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[-] azimir@lemmy.ml 319 points 2 weeks ago

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.

[-] electric_nan@lemmy.ml 98 points 2 weeks ago
[-] alucard@sopuli.xyz 35 points 2 weeks ago

… it’s a big club and you ain’t in it. You and I are not in the big club…

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[-] Nougat@fedia.io 251 points 2 weeks ago

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

Oh shut the fuck up.

[-] mp3@lemmy.ca 133 points 2 weeks ago

The Supreme Court undermined the judicial system.

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[-] astrsk@fedia.io 239 points 2 weeks ago

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.

[-] clutchtwopointzero@lemmy.world 48 points 2 weeks ago

This is yet another example of Biden just not doing things sufficiently enough. He must issue a preemptive umbrella pardon for himself, as Trump's DOJ, FBI, and CIA will go after him

[-] astrsk@fedia.io 37 points 2 weeks ago

I agree, he should push the limit of what’s possible to force the Supreme Court to rule on the actions, call their bluff, lay bare the hypocrisy officially for all the world to see.

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[-] Tedesche@lemmy.world 131 points 2 weeks ago

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.

[-] Draces@lemmy.world 30 points 2 weeks ago

It's supposed to be a check on the judicial. Are you suggesting it should be vested elsewhere or just not at all? I wouldn't remove any checks on this court personally

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[-] cybervseas@lemmy.world 101 points 2 weeks ago

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

[-] Fuckfuckmyfuckingass@lemmy.world 91 points 2 weeks ago

It would be cool if he went out in a blaze of glory that wasn't self serving. Like legalizing weed, arming Ukraine, and just generally trying to fuck shit up for Trump before he gets in.

[-] adarza@lemmy.ca 36 points 2 weeks ago

four years of dark brandon would have gotten democrats the trifecta.

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[-] Wrench@lemmy.world 94 points 2 weeks ago

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.

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[-] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 85 points 2 weeks ago

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.

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[-] hark@lemmy.world 78 points 2 weeks ago

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.

[-] Cethin@lemmy.zip 44 points 2 weeks ago

The gun crime is bullshit. That law isn't enforced on anyone. It's also probably unconstitutional if you follow the conservative understanding of that amendment (which is complete bullshit, but that's beside the point).

Tax evasion, sure. That maybe shouldn't be pardoned but also it's only an issue because he's the president's son. I don't dismiss this, but also I recognize that it's mostly bullshit Republicans drummed up because they couldn't get anything on Biden.

I will point out to every conservative who defends Trump who says anything about this though. Trump is literally a convicted felon, and multiple cases are being dismissed because he was elected. If they think Hunter shouldn't get off free, then they better have some strong reasons Trump should.

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[-] 0xb@lemm.ee 69 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

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

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[-] BigMacHole@lemm.ee 67 points 2 weeks ago

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!

[-] DarkFuture@lemmy.world 66 points 2 weeks ago

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.

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[-] yeahiknow3@lemmings.world 66 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

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.

[-] Furbag@lemmy.world 63 points 2 weeks ago

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.

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[-] EnderMB@lemmy.world 61 points 2 weeks ago

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.

[-] Yodan@lemm.ee 40 points 2 weeks ago

I can't stand this "not a good look" talk when democrats have to basically be squeaky cleak that they can't even own a peanut farm or swear and yet 10 years into the "grab them by the pussy" guy who makes fun of disabled people, women, calls everyone names including his own party... Nobody bats an eyelash. I don't care if Joe Biden lied for his son at this point, Donald pardoned and will continue to pardon dozens of family and staff and insurrectionists. It's ok for Trump to lie about not knowing project 2025 and then immediately hire everyone involved with it days later... But Biden can't lie once. Got it.

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[-] anticurrent@sh.itjust.works 55 points 2 weeks ago

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

[-] PonyOfWar@pawb.social 42 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

It really shows how fucked up and desperate the American political discourse is at this point IMO. Before it was "see how much integrity Biden has for not even pardoning his own son", now it's turned into "Hunter was a political prisoner and victim of unjust persecution" in an instant. No one is willing to admit any faults because the other side gleefully profits from them. I can understand why people do it, but it's a worrying indication for the state of politics in America.

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[-] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 43 points 2 weeks ago

I don’t love it, but I get it

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[-] 01011@monero.town 42 points 2 weeks ago

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

[-] admin@lemmyusa.com 29 points 2 weeks ago

A lot of these comments sum up to "if they can do bad, we can do bad". Two party system will be the death of the U.S.

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

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[-] aesthelete@lemmy.world 32 points 2 weeks ago

Honestly, who cares? Good for him.

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[-] electric_nan@lemmy.ml 32 points 2 weeks ago

Leonard Peltier? Edward Snowden?

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[-] nifty@lemmy.world 32 points 2 weeks ago

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

[-] pjwestin@lemmy.world 57 points 2 weeks ago

I would also like them to do that too, but I would prefer they do it for something other than nepotism.

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[-] squid_slime@lemm.ee 31 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

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.

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[-] johannesvanderwhales@lemmy.world 30 points 2 weeks ago

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.

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[-] Treczoks@lemmy.world 29 points 2 weeks ago

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.

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[-] BigBenis@lemmy.world 28 points 2 weeks ago

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

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this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2024
681 points (97.9% liked)

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