President Biden’s decision to break his promise and pardon his son will leave a permanent stain on his legacy, a presidential historian said Thursday.
Rice University professor Douglas Brinkley told USA Today that there is “nothing positive” about Biden’s decision. The pardon has already drawn criticism from Republicans as well as Biden’s allies in Congress.
“The problem that President Biden has with his legacy is that he said he would not pardon his son,” Brinkley said. “He made a promise, he closed his heart and unfortunately he ended up doing it. Some people may feel it’s unfair and he’s doing what a father should do. Some people might say
He added that the pardon only marks a “dark mark” for the rest of Biden’s term.
President Biden’s pardon of son Hunter will be a political gift to Trump going forward
Hunter Biden’s pardon would be a “stain” on his father’s presidency, historians say. (Fox News Digital Image Direct)
Brinkley also noted that Hunter has caused problems for his father’s presidency since taking office. The investigation into his eldest son caused a stir in Congress and the media, and became a counterpoint to the criminal investigation into President-elect Trump that was underway at the time.
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“Hunter Biden has been an albatross around his father’s neck throughout his presidency,” Brinkley said.
Brinkley went on to say that Trump’s victory in November may have been a deciding factor, and that Biden is concerned that the incoming administration will target his son for further investigation. insisted.
President Biden and his son Hunter Biden. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Nevertheless, this move did not win him any allies. California Governor Gavin Newsom, usually a staunch ally of the president, called the decision “disappointing” and “unsupportable.”
Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), chairman of the Congressional Democratic Caucus, also said he was “disappointed” by Wednesday’s decision. He went on to point out that Biden had broken his promises.
Governor Gavin Newsom said he is “disappointed” that President Biden chose to pardon his son Hunter Biden. (Jason Almond/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Mr. Biden has repeatedly vowed not to intervene in his son’s case, first in June when his son was convicted of three felony firearms charges, and then when Mr. Hunter pleaded guilty to federal charges of tax evasion. It was September after.
“I’m not going to do anything,” Biden said this summer. “I will abide by the jury’s decision.”
