Fatshimetrie –
President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter has raised serious concerns about the intertwining of politics and judicial independence in the United States. The dramatic move came as Biden had initially promised to restore the independence of the Justice Department, which was undermined under Donald Trump’s first term, and had repeatedly said he would not pardon his son.
While he had not intervened in his son’s cases until now, the president finally used his presidential power to absolve Hunter before his sentencing later this month on gun and tax charges stemming from the legal proceedings.
The move, which came days after special counsel Jack Smith called for the dismissal of federal charges against Trump for election interference and hoarding classified documents on the grounds that presidents cannot be prosecuted, raises serious questions about the bedrock principle that all people, even presidents and their families, are equal before the law.
Politically, the reversal could be a stain on Biden’s legacy and credibility. It is contributing to an ignominious end to his presidency, marked by his disastrous debate performance in June, that will now be remembered as much for paving the way for Trump’s return to the White House as for ousting him four years ago.
Moreover, the president may have provided an opening for Trump’s party to rally behind Kash Patel, the loyalist the president-elect handpicked to lead the FBI and serve as his political retaliatory campaign agent.
While there is no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the president, the move could have major political repercussions. Republicans are already arguing that Hunter Biden’s pardon shows that the current president, not the next one, is most responsible for politicizing the justice system by favoring his own son. Their claim may not be accurate, but it could be politically effective.
While Trump used his pardon power to shield several political advisers during his first term, Biden could now be criticized for doing the same to shield his own son. This could become a sore point for Trump, as he faces pressure from his supporters to pardon those convicted in the Capitol incident.
But Biden, after a life marked by tragedy and hardship, has asked Americans to judge him as a father, concerned about the impact of a possible prison sentence on his son, a former drug addict.
The issue of the politicization of the Justice Department is now being debated by both political camps, with Biden and Trump agreeing that it has occurred. While investigations into Biden and his son’s business dealings have been conducted without success, the cases involving Hunter Biden do not appear to have the same historical or constitutional significance as those involving Trump and his frequent attacks on the rule of law.
In his statement, Biden emphasized that his son had been treated differently because of his last name, arguing that the prosecutions were selective. His claim that Hunter was unfairly targeted because of his family ties raises questions about equality before the law, a founding principle of any fair justice system.
Ultimately, this presidential decision could leave lasting scars on Joe Biden’s presidency and raise profound questions about the rule of law and fairness in the American justice system. The political implications of this case could be far-reaching and shape the political debate in the United States in the months to come.