Patrick Healy: Ross and David, you both have written extensively about the rule of law and presidential power. You both have a good sense of what American voters care about. And you both are fathers. So I’m curious what struck you most about President Biden’s statement that he was pardoning his son Hunter Biden.
David French and others discuss the political and moral implications of President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. French expresses concern about Biden’s use of the pardon power, criticizing it as a failure of leadership. He argues that while Biden’s paternal instinct to protect his son is understandable, it is morally and politically indefensible. He points out that Biden had previously promised not to issue such a pardon, making this action seem dishonest and self-serving.
Ross Douthat adds that Biden’s close relationship with Hunter has allowed his son to benefit from his father’s position, continuing a pattern of favoritism. Douthat acknowledges that presidential pardons have historically been used for self-interested purposes, but still finds this case troubling. He raises the possibility that Biden’s pardon could be covering up further potential scandals related to Hunter’s past business dealings.
The conversation turns to the broader implications of pardons. French warns that abuse of the pardon power undermines trust in the rule of law, while Douthat suggests the pardon sends a negative political message, especially as it comes from a president whose own credibility is questioned. Both agree that while Biden’s decision is legally within his rights, it reinforces the cynicism surrounding political figures and their self-dealing actions.
The discussion also touches on whether Biden’s decision was politically motivated, as he may have wanted to protect Hunter from potential partisan attacks if Trump were to win again. Both French and Douthat express some sympathy for Biden as a father, but they agree that the pardon is politically flawed and morally questionable. Ultimately, they argue that Biden’s actions may reflect deeper cynicism about the state of American democracy and the political system.
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