In his final days in office, President Joe Biden issued a significant number of pardons, including preemptive pardons for family members and political allies, to shield them from potential legal actions by the incoming administration of Donald Trump. He pardoned his siblings and their spouses, citing "unrelenting attacks and threats" motivated by political animosity. Additionally, Biden granted clemency to nearly 1,500 individuals, marking it as the largest single-day act of clemency in modern U.S. history, focusing on those convicted of non-violent offenses, especially drug-related crimes. He also extended pardons to prominent figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the January 6th Committee, aiming to protect them from possible retribution. This sweeping use of clemency powers underscored Biden's commitment to second chances and highlighted the contentious political climate surrounding his presidency's end.
Reactions to President Biden's extensive pardons
Republicans largely criticized the move, with figures like Rep. James Comer labeling it as "a confession of their corruption" and arguing that it set a dangerous precedent for the use of presidential pardons as a political tool. They accused Biden of hypocrisy, especially after he had publicly promised not to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, only to do so later. Senator Ted Cruz and others described the actions as "grotesque" and an abuse of power, suggesting Biden was attempting to tie the hands of the incoming administration.
Democrats had varied responses. Some supported the pardons, especially those aimed at correcting injustices like the posthumous pardon for Marcus Garvey, with figures like Sen. Raphael Warnock seeing it as a move towards equity and justice. However, there was significant backlash from within the party as well. Some Democrats, including Rep. Greg Stanton and Sen. Michael Bennet, criticized Biden for going back on his word regarding Hunter Biden's pardon, arguing it undermined public trust in the justice system and placed personal interest above duty.
Public and Media Commentary: Media outlets and commentators had diverse reactions. Outlets like Fox News and The Daily Mail focused on the political implications and potential damage to Biden's legacy, with some commentators calling it a "slap in the face" to justice. Others, like MSNBC, while acknowledging the controversy, pointed out that both sides of the argument had merit - the fairness of Hunter Biden's prosecution versus the integrity of Biden's promise. There was also criticism from various political analysts and former officials like Chuck Todd, who suggested that Biden's actions could have long-term damaging effects on trust in U.S. institutions.
Social Media and Public Sentiment: Posts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) reflected the polarized views with some users and commentators seeing the pardons as necessary corrections or acts of mercy, while others viewed it as a cynical political maneuver, especially in the context of pardoning family members and political allies. The act was often discussed in terms of setting precedents for future presidential pardons.
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