Is Biden really going to do this?
In a bold move, Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), a former Democrat and long-time moderate voice in Washington, called for President Joe Biden to extend a pardon to former President Donald Trump. Manchin’s suggestion came just a day after Biden granted a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who had pleaded guilty to federal tax crimes and faced charges related to a gun possession incident. Manchin, who is retiring from the Senate at the end of the year, emphasized the need for fairness and balance in these high-profile legal battles.
Speaking on CNN, Manchin argued that President Biden should extend the same courtesy to Trump, given the numerous charges he faces, including accusations of mishandling classified documents, attempting to overturn the 2020 election, and meddling in the 2020 Georgia election results. “Why not wipe the slate clean for Trump as well? It would make things more balanced,” Manchin said. The senator acknowledged the complicated and politically charged nature of the situation, noting that both Hunter Biden and Donald Trump were facing legal challenges that many view as politically motivated.
President Biden, 82, defended his decision to pardon Hunter, claiming that the younger Biden had been “unfairly prosecuted” and was a victim of selective legal targeting. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre further claimed that Hunter’s legal troubles were a product of the current “war politics” climate. However, this justification has not gone unnoticed, with many observers criticizing the decision as an abuse of power and an example of a double standard in the justice system.
Several Democrats, too, have expressed discomfort with Biden’s pardon of his son. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) called it “wrong,” while Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) argued it undermines the public’s trust in the fairness of the justice system. Some have even suggested that this decision could backfire on Democrats, particularly as Trump continues to face legal hurdles. Rep. Greg Ivey (D-Md.) warned that the pardon would be weaponized by Trump’s supporters if he were to win the presidency again, further entrenching the idea that justice is applied unequally in America.
Manchin’s call for a Trump pardon resonates with many Republicans who view the charges against him as politically motivated, designed to undermine his 2024 campaign. For these voters, the parallel legal treatment of Hunter and Trump represents an egregious double standard that undermines the credibility of the justice system.
Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden’s pardon highlights the growing divide in American politics. Many conservatives see it as a clear example of a two-tiered justice system, where the well-connected are given special treatment while ordinary Americans are held to a harsher standard. As the 2024 election looms, this issue is likely to remain a flashpoint in the ongoing battle for political power, with both parties grappling with the implications of these controversial pardons.