Jan. 12, 2025
By Cal Gonzalez
Staff Writer
After having said he would not pardon his son, Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden issued him a full pardon on Dec. 1. The pardon covers legal offenses Hunter “committed or may have committed or taken part in” between Jan. 1, 2014 and Dec. 1, 2024, according to a White House statement.
The president’s pardon came as Hunter faced two sentencing hearings for federal tax evasion and felony gun charges, which stemmed from a failure to pay $1.4 million in taxes and the illegal purchase of a gun while addicted to drugs.
The president justified the pardon by saying the charges against his son were politically motivated.
History teacher Mr. Newman said criticism is understandable, but presidential pardons are a norm in the United States.
“Traditionally, presidential pardons have come when presidents are almost complete with their administration,” Newman said. “This has been a long[standing] legal tradition, precedent and check and balance on the Constitution since [George] Washington became the first president.”
Some argue the pardon reflects nepotism and damages public trust in the justice system, but Newman said the issue is more complex than that.
“There is direct or indirect nepotism in all jobs, industries and sectors of American society. Politics is the same as those other places,” Newman said.
Sophomore Henry Keefe said he has mixed feelings about the president’s pardon.
“From a moral standpoint, it is understandable, but Biden said he wasn’t going to pardon his son,” Keefe said. “Because of that, he’s being a hypocrite.”
Keefe said the public has been too quick to judge the president while ignoring the actions of other politicians.
“There is direct or indirect nepotism in all jobs, industries and sectors of American society. Politics is the same as those other places.”
“Wake up to what other figures have done. People are not aware of what is happening right in front of them,” Keefe said.
Junior Alexa Gomez said she disagrees with the pardon and believes Hunter should have served his sentences.
“Biden could’ve let the legal process take its course,” Gomez said. “Even without his interference, something might have gone in Hunter’s favor, being the son of Joe Biden.”
Gomez said the pardon reflects inequity in America.
“Even though the United States has the image of equality, not everyone is truly equal and the political system is corrupt in many ways,” said Gomez.
