WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on Sunday night, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.

The Democratic president had previously said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence after convictions in the two cases in Delaware and California. The move comes weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive his punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges, and less than two months before President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House.

Biden, who time and again pledged to Americans that he would restore norms and respect for the rule of law after Trump’s first term in office, ultimately used his position to help his son, breaking his public pledge to Americans that he would do no such thing.

  • Nick@lemmy.world
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    10 hours ago

    Honestly, at this point, what do those pledges even matter? Integrity is not worth much in politics nowadays. People will just vote whomever makes the bigger promises.

    • geneva_convenience@lemmy.mlOP
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      10 hours ago

      Biden is proving he is willing to violate the norms to bail out their criminal family. But not use those powers for the average American.

      It is certainly impressive Democrats are willing to waive this away as a minor thing. Wasn’t their entire point that they are not the fascistic party but committed to law and order?

      • .Donuts@lemmy.world
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        8 hours ago

        No, the Republicans are the self proclaimed Law & Order party.

        I love how pearls get clutched when a Dem does it. Where were you the last 8 years?

        • IndustryStandard@lemmy.world
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          7 hours ago

          Republicans have been pulling these blatant violations for ages. Trump pardoned Blackwater criminals on his way out.

          Supposedly however Biden couldn’t load the courts or achieve anything because “norms and values”.

          Democrats achieved nothing and at the end took a steaming dump on those values they used as the excuse for doing nothing

            • Grapho@lemmy.ml
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              3 hours ago

              You’re out here going “Ra Ra Biden, Trump does worse” all over the fucking thread calling others sycophants? Lmao

              • RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world
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                2 hours ago

                “All over this thread…”? Two comments and I really got under your skin. You deliberately avoid understanding me or my position, are devoid of nuance, and just make shit up to suit your narrative.

                Fuck off back to your troll farm.

                • Grapho@lemmy.ml
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                  2 hours ago

                  Everyone I don’t like is a bot, the sycophants guide to political discussion

          • amanneedsamaid@sopuli.xyz
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            6 hours ago

            And a 100% valid one that you are being willingly obtuse towards. Open your eyes and see that although all politicians have and always will suck and lie, Trump is a traitor. I would elect any non-MAGA Republican for 8 years over Trump for four more. He is not a legitimate politician

            • geneva_convenience@lemmy.mlOP
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              5 hours ago

              Pointing out that republicans do this means you are comparing Biden to republicans. And you saying it is acceptable for democrats as well because republicans do it as well, not because democrats are better. This blatant abuse of power means Biden is a MAGA-democrat. And you are willing to elect MAGA-democrats.

              • krashmo@lemmy.world
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                5 hours ago

                The people defending Biden know this is bullshit. They just want to believe this is a sign that Democrats are finally going to stop complaining about decorum and play hardball. It isn’t, and they won’t, but at least Joe gets to protect his kid I guess. Too bad Joe couldn’t find the will to force Garland to do his job and prosecute Trump instead.