Summary

President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, prompting strong backlash from Republicans.

GOP lawmakers criticized the move as an abuse of power and an attempt to avoid accountability, with figures like Rep. James Comer and Sen. Chuck Grassley calling it hypocritical and corrupt.

Biden defended the pardon, citing “selective prosecution” and claiming Hunter was unfairly targeted due to their family connection.

Hunter faced convictions for federal gun and tax charges.

  • Boddhisatva@lemmy.world
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    20 days ago

    Based on how those crimes have been enforced, yes. The federal gun charge that says a drug addict cannot own a gun is rarely enforced historically and is being challenged in the courts by Republicans because the DOJ started using it against white supremacists. Yet Hunter Biden wasn’t even allowed a plea deal because of the politics around him. As for the taxes, when he was caught, he paid them and the fines associated with them. For literally anyone else caught doing the same, that is the end of it. No jail time or further penalties.

    Joe Biden tried to let the courts do their job and trusted that the courts would be fair. They weren’t. This was clearly a political prosecution and I would have done the same in (Joe) Biden’s shoes.

    • mommykink@lemmy.world
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      20 days ago

      The federal gun charge that says a drug addict cannot own a gun is rarely enforced historically

      And yet it’s still a felony. I thought we were the ones who support strong gun regulation?

      wasn’t even allowed a plea deal

      No one is entitled to a plea deal. For the severity of Hunter’s crimes, I’m fine with it.

      As for the taxes, when he was caught, he paid them

      Keyphrase: “When he was caught.” He was just fine stealing the $1.4m from Americans otherwise.

      Joe Biden tried to let the courts do their job and trusted that the courts would be fair. They weren’t.

      That’s not how it works and you know this is going to literally be Trump’s argument on Day One when he starts pardoning his supporters, right?

      • ubergeek@lemmy.today
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        20 days ago

        I thought we were the ones who support strong gun regulation?

        Who is “we”? I want all of the working class to be armed.

        “Under no pretext shall arms and ammunition be surrendered, and any attempt to do so should be frustrated, by force, if necessary” - Karl Marx

        “The rifle on the wall of the workingman’s cottage is proof liberty exists. Our job is to ensure it remains.” - George Orwell

        (I may have butchered the quotes a bit, but the meaning is intact)