The pardon granted by Joe Biden to his son, Hunter Biden, is part of an uncommon tradition of presidential pardons in favor of family members. Although widely publicized, this decision is not without precedent in recent US history.
In December 2020, Donald Trump used this same power to pardon Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner. Sentenced in 2004 to two years in prison for tax embezzlement, Charles Kushner had already served his sentence at the time of his pardon. This decision fueled criticism of the apparent bias of the former president, who has since announced his intention to appoint Jared Kushner to the prestigious post of ambassador to Paris.
A precedent with Bill Clinton
Similarly, in 2001, Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother, Roger Clinton, on his last day in the White House. Roger Clinton, convicted of cocaine possession in 1985, had also served his sentence before benefiting from this presidential favor. This act was seen as a mark of favoritism and had raised questions about the ethics of presidential pardons.
These cases underline the controversial scope of this constitutional power, often criticized for its possible abuses. Unlike these precedents, where the relatives concerned had already served their sentence, Hunter Biden's pardon comes before his sentence is even pronounced. This decision prompted figures like Richard Painter, former legal advisor under George W. Bush, to ironize. “Why didn't President Biden pardon Hunter Biden last year before appointing him ambassador to Paris? »
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