Fetterman Comments On Biden Pardon
President Joe Biden’s blanket pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, revealing deep divisions within the Democratic Party and sparking widespread public disapproval. A recent Scott Rasmussen poll highlights just how unpopular the move is, with 62% of Americans opposing the pardon, including 41% who are strongly opposed. Only 30% support the decision, leaving the administration grappling with a backlash that shows no signs of abating.
In announcing the pardon, Biden defended his actions as both a father and a president, claiming that Hunter was “selectively and unfairly prosecuted.” Calling it a “miscarriage of justice,” Biden insisted his decision was necessary to address what he described as politically motivated attacks. However, this rationale hasn’t convinced most Americans. The poll found that 54% disagree with Biden’s assertion, compared to 37% who agree.
Even Special Counsel David Weiss challenged Biden’s claims, noting the inherent contradictions. “The Executive Branch that charged Defendant is headed by that sitting President – Defendant’s father,” Weiss wrote in a court filing, calling Hunter’s claims of targeting “nonsensical.”
The pardon has fractured Democratic ranks, with high-profile figures voicing disapproval. California Gov. Gavin Newsom publicly criticized Biden for reneging on his earlier commitment not to intervene in Hunter’s legal troubles, saying, “I took the president at his word… By definition, I’m disappointed and can’t support the decision.”
Just 30% of voters favor @POTUS Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter. 62% are opposed the pardon.
Only 37% believe Hunter Biden was unfairly targeted by prosecutors for political purposes.
A larger number, 46%, believe that @realDonaldTrump was unfairly targeted by the Justice…
— Scott Rasmussen (@ScottWRasmussen) December 5, 2024
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) took a surprising stance, suggesting that if Hunter deserved a pardon, so did President-elect Donald Trump. On The View, Fetterman argued that both cases reflected a “weaponized” justice system, stating, “America’s confidence in these types of institutions has been damaged by these types of cases.”
Fetterman’s comments highlight a broader concern among Democrats: the risk of undermining their credibility on issues like justice reform. The party has long championed second chances for ordinary Americans caught up in the criminal justice system, and Biden’s intervention for his son has muddied that narrative.
The decision has also alienated major Democratic donors, with some threatening to withhold future support. Calls for Biden to balance the scales by pardoning Trump have gained traction as a way to mitigate the political fallout, though such a move would be unprecedented and controversial in its own right.
Nation strongly rejects Biden’s pardon of son Hunter @NapolitanNews pollster @ScottWRasmussen ‘The anger at Biden among Democrats is ready to bubble over.”https://t.co/f1BAwQEa2A via @dcexaminer pic.twitter.com/ieHJdtCEy0
— Paul Bedard (@SecretsBedard) December 5, 2024
The public’s reaction to the pardon highlights the broader challenges facing Biden as he approaches the final year of his presidency. With his approval ratings already low, the pardon could further erode trust among voters who see it as a blatant misuse of presidential power.
Meanwhile, President-elect Trump’s legal troubles are winding down following his victory in the 2024 election. Prosecutors, including Special Counsel Jack Smith, have begun dropping cases against Trump, citing the longstanding precedent against indicting a sitting president. Trump’s legal team has also moved to dismiss charges in Georgia and New York, citing presidential immunity once he takes office in January.
The contrast between the two presidents—one pardoning his son amidst a public outcry, the other regaining legal ground after a contentious election—highlights the volatile state of American politics. Biden’s pardon has provided Republicans with ample fodder to question his integrity while Democrats scramble to contain the fallout.