Yesterday, following repeated denials regarding his intent, President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter. While he is clearly concerned that Trump's Justice Department might overreach in their handling of the case, this is an unfortunate decision as Trump aims to pardon the January 6 seditionists, among other co-conspirators. Of course, his election erased Trump's own potential convictions.
One suspects that Hunter Biden's guilty plea was made in anticipation of this pardon and this scenario only serves to support Trump's claim that the Justice Department has been politicized. As we face a significant threat to our Democracy, Biden's decision foments the argument that our current system of justice is broken. If Hunter Biden's crimes were as insignificant as many of his defenders claim, the sentencing would have surely reflected that fact.
Unless Trump's incompetent and dangerous Cabinet selections are blocked by the Senate, we can expect the authoritarian leadership that most Americans feared. Biden's pardon, while understandable on a personal level, only fuels that potential outcome. In the interest of justice, Presidential pardons should be abolished.
