On Sunday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) shared his perspective on President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter, finding it to be a reasonable action but cautioning against the potential “precedent” it may establish for future presidents. During an interview on NBC News’s “Meet the Press,” Sanders noted that Biden’s motivation as a father to protect his son from political adversaries is something many can relate to.
However, Sanders also warned that the broad nature of the pardon could create risks for future administrations. He expressed concerns that, under different circumstances, such a sweeping pardon might lead to complications down the line for succeeding presidents.
Hunter Biden’s case serves as a reminder of the political challenges facing the Biden administration
Despite these worries, Sanders does not believe the pardon will negatively impact Biden’s legacy. When asked about it, he stated, “I think his legacy is a strong legacy,” and he praised Biden as potentially the most progressive president in American history since FDR.
He also pointed out that the current economy is, in many respects, performing well. Following the announcement of his son’s pardon two weeks ago, Biden has received a mix of reactions. For over a year, he had publicly stated that he would not consider pardoning Hunter.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre explained that one of the motivations behind the president’s decision was the belief that Republicans and President-elect Trump would continue to pursue legal action against his son once the new administration took office.
“One of the reasons the president did the pardon is because it didn’t seem like his political opponents would let go of it; they wouldn’t move on. And so, this is why this president took this action,” Jean-Pierre said in response to questions about Biden’s remarkable change in stance.
In June, Hunter Biden was convicted in a federal case on three felony charges related to the purchase and possession of a gun in 2018, having violated the law by concealing drug use. He later pleaded guilty in September to nine federal tax charges, thus avoiding a trial.
