A storm of bipartisan criticism has greeted President Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, as public opinion and justice concerns clash over perceived preferential treatment.
At a Glance
- 50% of U.S. adults disapprove of President Biden’s pardon for Hunter.
- 20% approve of the pardon, indicating limited public backing.
- Bipartisan concerns raise questions about justice and fairness.
- The pardon conflicts with Biden’s previous non-interference pledges.
Public Disapproval and Polling Data
The YouGov poll reflects that 50% of Americans, including 53% of Independents and 79% of Republicans, disapprove of President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter. The poll, which surveyed 3,583 U.S. adults, reveals that 35% strongly disapprove and 15% somewhat disapprove of the action. At the same time, 17% each either strongly or somewhat approve of the pardon. The Associated Press-NORC poll aligns with these findings, indicating that merely 20% of Americans approve of Biden’s decision.
Hunter Biden was facing serious legal charges involving federal tax fraud and gun-related offenses, with a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment. President Biden justified the pardon by alleging a miscarriage of justice, asserting non-interference with the Department of Justice’s proceedings against his son.
Bipartisan Political Reactions
This unexpected pardon created significant bipartisan reactions. Democratic Senator Michael Bennet and Congressman Greg Landsman voiced concerns about the pardon’s negative implications on public trust in the rule of law.
Bennet remarked, the decision could “put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans’ faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all.”
Republican responses have been similarly critical, with former President Trump challenging the pardon, questioning its selective justice nature.
In a contrasting view, Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar defended Biden’s move, citing historical precedents of family pardons and emphasizing presidential prerogative. Moreover, public sentiment measures show older adults more likely to approve of the pardon, despite younger adults showing more opposition.
Biden’s Pledge and Its Repercussions
The pardon notably contradicts previous statements made by Biden and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, promising no familial interference or favoritism. Jean-Pierre reiterated recently, “One thing the president believes is to always be truthful with the American people,” amid queries about Biden potentially misleading the public.
Despite causing political waves, overall approval ratings for Biden remain stable at 40%. However, disapproval varies along racial and demographic lines, with about 6 in 10 white adults disapproving, while disapproval is lower among Hispanic and Black communities. The margin of error in these surveys is approximately 3.7 percentage points, highlighting the divisive nature of this political move.
