President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter on Sunday has cemented his legacy as the “liar in chief.” The pardon power has a checkered history, with past presidents using it to benefit their political cronies. However, Biden’s action is particularly egregious due to his repeated lies to the public about his knowledge and intentions in the influence-peddling scandal surrounding his family.
Biden repeatedly denied knowing about Hunter’s foreign dealings, including millions in alleged deals with Russians, Ukrainians, Chinese, and other clients. He also lied about meeting any of his son’s clients, despite having pictures and records of dinners and meetings with these clients. The president’s lies continued throughout the election, presidential debates, and his term.
The press repeatedly asked Biden whether he would pardon his son, and he repeatedly denied it, saying it was not being contemplated. However, NBC is reporting that there were already discussions about the pardon last June, while the White House was issuing denials.
The pardon power was written in absolute terms, and a president can even pardon himself. However, what is constitutional is not necessarily ethical or right. This pardon is one of the most disgraceful in the history of presidential pardons, as it was used to cover up a corruption scandal that reportedly brought the Biden family millions in raw influence peddling.
Hunter Biden was facing sentencing for two criminal cases related to tax evasion and the purchase of a firearm. The pardon does not address the underlying corruption and influence peddling that has been uncovered. There were diamonds as gifts, lavish expense accounts, and a sports car, in addition to massive payments that Hunter claimed were “loans.” The pardon has been buried under a sweeping immunity deal and a pack of presidential lies.