Chuck Todd’s scathing critique of President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter cuts through the partisan noise and lands a rare, hard-hitting point from within the liberal media. His analysis lays bare the gravity of Biden’s actions, marking them as a pivotal moment in the degradation of public trust in the justice system and the presidency itself.

Todd’s comments on Meet the Press Now struck at the heart of the issue: by pardoning Hunter, Biden has done more than shield his son from legal consequences—he has set a precedent that could reverberate for decades.

It’s not just about Hunter; it’s about what this move symbolizes. For a president who has long portrayed himself as a paragon of integrity and a defender of democratic norms, this pardon reeks of the very politicization he claims to oppose.

If both the leading Democrat and the leading Republican believe the Department of Justice is hopelessly politicized, what’s left of the public’s faith in impartiality? The damage isn’t short-term; it’s systemic and enduring.

Chuck Todd lays out why Biden’s pardon of Hunter and his statement caused ‘real damage’ to the Democrat party:
Chuck Todd: “A statement that Joe Biden made in and around the pardon, where he essentially is the exact same rhetoric that Donald Trump uses about the justice system… pic.twitter.com/FOQ4inreR7

— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) December 4, 2024

The most damning part of Todd’s critique is his argument that Biden put personal conscience above his presidential duty. Yes, Biden’s choice may have been driven by love for his son and a desire to protect him, but the presidency is not a family affair. By making this decision, Biden prioritized his personal life over the broader interests of the nation. This is not what voters expect from a leader who campaigned on restoring the soul of America and its institutions.

Todd’s analysis exposes the cognitive dissonance among Democrats. Many who have railed against Trump’s use of presidential power for personal benefit now find themselves twisting in the wind, trying to justify Biden’s actions. But as Todd warns, wrong is wrong, no matter who commits the act.

The bitter irony here is that Trump and Biden now share common ground: both have cast doubt on the justice system for political ends. For Americans watching this unfold, the implications are staggering. If neither party’s leader trusts the system, why should anyone else? Todd’s grim observation that this moment is like entering “Thunderdome” feels tragically apt.

Todd’s admonition to Democrats is especially poignant. Defending Biden’s decision out of party loyalty, or fear of right-wing media backlash, is a short-sighted strategy. The slippery slope is real, and the consequences are dire. By excusing Biden’s behavior, Democrats risk undermining their own moral authority to criticize similar actions by Trump or future Republican leaders.