I am tired of news networks dramatizing and making a big deal about President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter. Their double standard is unreasonable and unfair.
Let us remember that Donald Trump plans to pardon so many of those convicted for their involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Moreover, as a friend reminds me, it's not out of the historical norm for presidents to pardon family members. George H.W. Bush pardoned his son Neil, and Bill Clinton pardoned his brother Roger. In addition, Trump pardoned his son-in-law’s father. It’s time, therefore, for the media to stop obsessing over Biden’s decision.
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He has been an excellent president who came along at a time when the country desperately needed someone who could empathize with Americans and bring back civility and rationality to the White House.
Historians, I predict, will document that Biden was an outstanding president, and how the pardon of his son will not prejudice this assessment or stain his reputation.
I cannot recall a president who accomplished as much as Biden has, the criticisms of his detractors notwithstanding. Put simply, it’s time for us to move on, allowing Biden and his family to move on with their lives.
Richard Cherwitz, Ph.D., professor emeritus, University of Texas at Austin
I 100% support President Joe Biden pardoning his son, Hunter. Donald Trump, who most unfortunately will be taking office as president in January 2025, has been convicted of 34 felonies. His sentencing has been indefinitely delayed. He has been declared a rapist in a civil case in which he was found liable for millions of dollars. His two other felony indictments for illegally retaining classified documents and seeking to overturn the 2020 election have been dismissed. Trump has vowed to pardon the insurrectionists who attacked Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. These are people who attacked and injured police guarding the U.S. Capitol and threatened members of Congress and the vice president. Trump has also vowed to weaponize the Department of Justice to seek retribution against anyone he has deemed his enemy.
Anyone who still believes in the myth of "equal justice under the law" or that "no person is above the law" needs to take a reasoned look at reality. So yes, bravo President Biden. And to the Republicans that take umbrage at his action, have a look in the mirror.
Bob Wagner, Naperville
The opinions on whether President Joe Biden did the right thing in pardoning Hunter are, not surprisingly, split. I know many Trump supporters who actually believe that Biden did the right thing. Given the current political landscape, and as a parent, we agreed on one thing: If you take politics out of the picture, a reasonable parent will lean toward helping their child. We also agreed that in the face of a situation where a person with power will use that power to completely overstep their authority in meting out revenge to a political rival the prudent thing to do would be to protect said offspring.
President-elect Donald Trump made it clear during his campaign that he will punish his perceived enemies. It should be clear that he would find a way to use Hunter's situation to punish Joe Biden.
Will the same people who are complaining about this pardon object when they see who Trump pardons? That list will likely include himself.
John Farrell, DeKalb
It is my hope that when Republicans complain about Hunter Biden's pardon, they will remember that he pleaded guilty to what amounts to misdemeanor charges. But when Donald Trump is sworn in, he will do so after being found guilty on 34 felony counts related to his hush money payments to an adult film actress. And charges were dismissed against him for trying to stop the certification of a free and fair election.
Steven Herr, West Ridge
