Former Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill expressed her disappointment with President Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter, stating that it would provide “ammunition” to Republicans and contribute to the perception that Biden is not an ideologically different from former President Trump.
“I get it, I understand why he did it,” McCaskill said during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Deadline: White House.” “But the ‘both sides’ folks out there have just gotten some really powerful ammunition. And for that reason, I hate it.”
McCaskill noted that Biden had previously stated he would not pardon his son, and his decision to do so now allows Republicans to make unfair comparisons between the two presidents. “It allows the side of the mountain of lies and scandal to say, ‘Well, see, he’s just the same, Joe Biden is no different,'” she said.
Despite her disappointment, McCaskill acknowledged that Biden is “a wonderful man who loves his family desperately” and understands his decision. However, she regretted the timing and the perceived implications of the pardon, stating that she wished Biden had instead chosen to defend his son by proclaiming that the charges against him were politically motivated.
