Was pardoning Hunter Biden the right move? @PreetBharara and I discuss President Biden’s decision, and the backlash, on a new episode of @cafedotcom Insider. Listen: https://bit.ly/4igpHst
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I’m so tired of talking about this! It was great! Let’s focus on talking about the wrecking ball named Trump. Stop talking about the pardon. Enough already. Look at all the ppl that Trump pardoned…so much worse
Yes, it was the right thing to do because Hunter should never have been investigated to begin with because of grudges that Trump holds on just about everybody who says his name wrong!
Why are we still discussing this? Why are we wasting time and energy still discussing this when there are so many more important things to discuss. Stop wasting time. Move past Hunter Biden PLEASE!!!!!
Yes it was the right choice. The only reason he was charged in the first place was they couldn’t get anything on President Biden. So they went after Hunter. Heck, years ago rump pardoned all of his “buddies” talk about calling the kettle black.
Absolutely was the right decision! Do I like that President Biden was forced to re-evaluate his position? No. But honestly, we are in unprecedented and uncertain times.
Oh for Pete’s sake. It’s own son. Who cares if it’s the right thing? I can’t stand the genocide Joe but he’s the damn president and he’s a father. This is why we get distracted from bs questions like this.
Joe Biden was GOING to let the courts decide Hunter's fate UNTIL it became OBVIOUS that shortly, the courts would be fully weaponized by Trump and true justice would be grossly perverted for the sake of vengeance ... as Trump declared he would do.
Glad Biden pardoned Hunter - a wise "FU" to Trump.
100% His son's life had already been dragged through the mud by Trump's hounds. Biden knew when Patel was named what further drumming his son would take, all to get back at Biden for winning. He did what a good father and a man with full cognition of what the future portends by pardoning his son.
Absolutely the right thing to do. He knew Trump and his MAGA cronies would continue to haunt Hunter if he didn't. Pres. Biden was forced to fight fire with fire. It's a shame, but it had to be done.
President Biden gets to do whatever the hell he wants. He's never going to be President again, has led this country to the greatest economic rebound in history, and got shit on by his own party.
Don’t know about being shit on by his own party but agree 100% he gets to do whatever the hell he wants and that should be using the Immunity ruling to protect us and making the ERA the next constitutional amendment
I honestly don’t care. There are far more important things for us to be worrying about. We live in a new world- stop wasting time on this like we still live in a sane world where his son wouldn’t be crucified by the incoming administration.
Next Democrat who complains about this pardon needs a boot to the head. YOU abandoned Biden and barely said a thing as Republicans put his family through years of hell over what in most cases should have been a simple plea and move along. About time somebody threw a big FU to Trump's future plans.
Pres. Biden threw away his more than 50-year politcal legacy to save his son Biden. He knew what even some Democrats would say. They, and the others, are wrong. I keep wondering if my parents would have done this for any of us? Would I do it for my only living brother--give it all up?
No one cares but the people that no one here cares to listen to. It couldn’t be less relevant. It changes nothing but Hunters future residential plans.
Maybe take the approach that since Biden thinks the Inmate #P01135809 regime is capable of terrible things why didn't he fire Garland for not doing his damn job?
@maddow.bsky.social got it right on her Monday night show opening. What about a “future “ pardon for all Jan 6 CONGRESSIONAL committee members, Impeachment team members and anyone at DoJ who worked on the Jan 6 and MarALago investigations?
Pete Hegseth appears to have a serious addiction issue. I wonder if he has a gun and if he signed a form saying he did not have an active addiction. Shouldn’t he be charged with the same crime as Hunter Biden if he did?
I am thrilled that Biden did this. Trump IS a criminal, Hunter was a victim of a witch hunt. True, Hunter broke the law, but he was given appropriate penalties (those that are given to all such offenders) He was victimized by MAGA politicians. I am glad his father had the guts to stand up to them.
Interesting but I honestly don't care that Biden pardoned his son. What I'm more concerned with is Trump's cabinet choices and how that's going to affect us going forward. Let's move on to more important topics.
If I saw my son being persecuted for being my son, I would act similarly, even if I had planned to do otherwise. They intended to make Hunter's life hell, even though he was never even a public official.
Who thought for 1 second he wasn't going to pardon him? They were bogus charged that would have never been brought against him if his name wasn't Biden. They pushed him out. What does he have to lose? Any father would have done the same thing if they could.
You bet it was the right move. The split second I saw the NY Times feed hit my in box, I said out loud, "ALL RIGHT, JOE!GOOD FOR YOU!!!" And I kept repeating it.
In an ideal world, Trump would not have pardoned his list of miscreants, would not be planning to pardon the next batch, and Biden would have stuck to his principled decision not to pardon Hunter. I am way past believing in that ideal. I am perfectly content with Biden's pardon.
It was the right move. History will be kind to President Biden. His accomplishments will be celebrated. The pardon will be seen as the ultimate display of a father's love.
Pres. Biden should take Patel's publicized hit list and pardon all of them for any and all actions they could be charged with. Wouldn't THAT be a sweet backfire for Patel?
Gimme a break. It was the ONLY move, especially with the potential of Kash Patel heading up the FBI. Oh, but no one is wringing their hands over all the Real Criminals Old King Donald pardoned - and all the J6 criminals he WILL pardon. Seriously!
Oh, for goodness, sakes, just stop with this conversation. Joe Biden did the right thing by his son given the circumstances of the MAGA-Trump-Patel retribution machine.
Ohmygod. Trump has pardoned so many s**tbags and will put all the scumbags from the Capital invasion on the street. WTF? Is there anything they won’t twist?
@preetbharara.bsky.social he is the best. Did you know he came from the same village in Punjab named Frozpore where my dad was from. He is the pride and joy and reminds me when I get down in Cash Patel that Preet Bharara makes me proud of my heritage
It was absolutely the right move. The prosecution initially reached a plea agreement (I learned as a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers that 98.5% of all criminal AND civil cases are resolved by settlement, or plea). This is nothing but rabid frothing by highly partisan Republicans.
No discussion needed. Of course it was the right move. He. Needs to be pardoning the J6 committee and lots of others before Trump’s Age of Vengeance starts.
It was ab the right dec. Dems should be standing up 4 what is right. If he had not pardoned HB, Tr and Patel would have done everything 2 see that HB spent the rest of his life behind bars. 4 what a simple gun charge & taxes that were pd though they were late.
It was the right thing 100%
President Biden needs to pardon everyone in trump's revenge list. They haven't committed any crimes but he will go after them.
The entire January 6 committee. The Obamas, The Clintons, FDR etc etc
Stop this inane drivel @joycewhitevance.bsky.social : this post made me lose respect for you and your sense of history and ethics. YES… it was the right thing to do. So fucking FRUSTRATING.
Yes, it was. The orange man’s pick for FBI makes it clear that Hunter Biden is in his crosshairs, and there can be no doubt that he will use that position to fabricate any evidence necessary to incarcerate HB for life.
Of course it was. It's the time we live in. Republicans wanted to destroy Hunter to get Joe. Ask if Trump™ would have pardoned Jr. if he had murdered someone on Fifth Ave. Well, maybe that's not the best example since he doesn't really care for anyone but himself.
Yes! It's past time for the Democrats to continue to play nice. Biden should prepardon everyone else he can so that our energies can focus on navigating the chaos of the Trump circus. #fightfirewithfire
Does anyone in the punditry class recall the Democratic common folks saying “we want democrats to fight!” Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? As far as I’m concerned Biden hasn’t gone far enough? Republicans are going to tear it all down! Fight damit!!!!
The only ones going on about President Biden’s pardoning of Hunter are those with an ax to grind and spineless Democrats for whatever reason. Shan Wu on Meidas explains: https://youtu.be/Ts5Ae0h6XaU?si=dR2NHp9jz_E5biaC
Doesnt change anything, just confirms what right already believes, so there was no point in not doing it. If anything it takes away one of their side shows for the next 4 years.
I think Joe saw the writing on the wall...the Hunter hounding was never going to stop. The people (possibly) heading to the DOJ, FBI, Att. General etc. would never stop. I believe Joe meant what he said (not pardoning). The reality has changed.
Exactly it shouldn’t even be a discussion, pretending that no one knows why Biden changed his mind and detracting from the very real dangers that we are facing.
I don't see how flooding the zone with TRUE shit moves the overton window one inch.
the problem isn't Trumpism. Its fascism, disguised as populism, that will remain powerful unless and until the opposition stops enabling it and starts fighting it.
Politically, it's a selfish move by Joe Biden that's going to hurt Democrats for many years.
As a practical matter, however, it is a very well-deserved slap in the face for Biden's farcically inept Attorney General, Merrick Garland, and a lesson in realpolitik for shilly-shallying Dems.
Regardless of the political consequences, it was absolutely the correct action. His son has been the surrogate for vicious hatred of Biden, and he was going to face the possible destruction of his life on the altar of MAGAt vindictiveness. Only Biden had the power to prevent that.
If I were Joe, I'd have pardoned my son, too, under these circumstances.
My real point is simply that if Merrick Garland had not so hopelessly and haplessly f*cked up as America's Most Cowardly AG Ever, neither Joe nor Hunter would even be in the extremely awkward positions that they're in today.
Because Trump would likely have been convicted of sedition. Chances are SCOTUS would have vacated any conviction. But your point is well taken: Garland failed to a t in a timely manner, making moot any possible move by SCOTUS.
Why do we think it’s going to hurt democrats for years? Really and truly? If we’ve learned one thing about our electorate it’s that they’re fickle with the attention span of a gnat.
I am so glad Biden pardoned Hunter. People saying it sets a bad precedent is ridiculous. The normalizing of Trump and his ilk has been a precedent of nightmare proportions.
Please include a discussion regarding Trumps felonies, Trumps civil EJean Carrol non payment, Fraud non payment & stolen documents- otherwise no one cares
I’m in agreement with it. Emailed Biden immediately to thank and congratulate him. Also to implore he continue taking all possible steps to mitigate T’s agenda. Use Immunity ruling! Make the ERA the next constitutional amendment
Screw the backlash. All bets are off. Joe can do whatever he wants and I hope he does. Whatever it is, it will be good for the country. Glad Hunter was pardoned. No more f×$%s to give.
Of course it was.
Now if Joe would pardon women in prison because they killed their abusing husbands; that would be awesome. And kick in the face to all the circus clowns tRump has put into play.
This was preventative maintenance. Keep Trump's expected harm at arms length. This keeps the GOP from continuing to harass Hunter with excessive prosecution. Maybe they'll be able to concentrate on issues that actually matter to the People rather than run down every rabbit hole.
The reasoning is simple and the discussion worthless.
Trump is lining his administration with election deniers, loyalty oaths and vendettas to be their top priority.
Biden had no choice. It wasn’t the “right” move, it was the ONLY move.
Absofuckinglutely the ONLY decision since Rudy G’s initial efforts to use Ukraine’s withheld money to blackmail Zelenskyy into participating in Trumped Up investigations against Hunter.
Under normal circumstances, probably not. With the incoming administration going full
fascist and working on Clownstick von Fuckface’s enemies list on day one? Absolutely.
Yes, of course it was a righteous act. And it is taking up too much space in the media and on such platforms as this while the shit-show of Trump’s prospective cabinet and key office holders gets maybe half billing.
After years of staunchly defending the rule of law, Biden pardoned his son because he has no faith in a fair justice system under the incoming trump administration; instead of following the evidence, they'll just make up "evidence". We all should take this as a warning.
This has got to be the most idiotic, gaslighting nonsense ever. Folks really can’t make basic distinctions and comparisons. Putin has got to be laughing his ass off.
Of course it was the right move. Trump and his surrogates seek revenge against Americans. The charges against Hunter were complete BS anyway, and never should have been brought. Political hit job. And they just wanted Hunter as a continuous propaganda op.
Helz yes it was the right move! the persecution was obvious. The guy's a doofus, but didn't deserve what they put him through and were going to continue. I'm SICK of the DOUBLE STANDARDS for Republicans vs Democrats. STOP PLAYING BY THE RULES IF THE OTHER SIDE ISN'T PLAYING BY THE RULES!!!!!
I am glad President Biden pardoned his son. Who'd want to be caught up in the justice system of an incoming president who vowed revenge and retribution?
This is why young men are flocking to the GOP. Any normal man would of course protect his son from a predator. The fact that Democrats criticize a Dem prez using a crumb of power looks so weak and hysterical. You have power, use it!
Biden needs to preemptively pardon Anthony Fauci, Jack Smith, Cassidy Hutchinson, Liz Cheney, and others who will be targets of retribution in the next administration.
I agree that, although it "looks bad", it was something he HAD to do before the orange menace took the oath of office. It was a political move to go after Hunter in the first place without the "normal" course of justice i.e. fines and penalties! I applaud President Biden and this decision!
Joyce—so glad for your voice! I think Preet has been hanging out with too many hedge fund or law partner bros. His last podcast never considered a non-bro lens and this sounds like he’s dug-in like a 6th grade boy in a playground fight. Thanks to both of you for your time.
It was the right move. We have a right to change our minds, like Brett Kavanaugh did on Roe. I’d like to hear you discuss the charge of lying on the fed. app to buy a gun and what it would mean if enforced across the board. Dope smoking gun owners would be in legal jeopardy right?
Yes. It was absolutely the right thing. When are we going to recognize that Dems and Reps play by totally different sets of rules? When will “liberal” media quit parroting Rep talking points while wringing their hands in despair…? FFS, the Reps are coming for Bidens. Pardon away!
Stf door on this already ffs. Incoming potus is a literal fucking felon WHO WORKS FOR PUTIN. Please wake tf up and report on our BROKEN DEMOCRACY AND BROKEN RULE OF LAW AND BROKEN CONSTITUTION … damnit
Linda, you are correct. However,Hunter has been used as a pawn to distract from Trump’s own insurrection & election interference legal issues. Hunter’s life is in danger by the far right extremists.If Mitch & the senate had dealt with Trump, we would be looking at an entirely different scenario.
I totally support Biden’s change even though he earlier planned not to pardon his son. The climate changed with outlandish appointments by Trump. Patel promised to be vindictive. President Biden needed to protect his family.
I wish the President had as much concern about turning our government over to a tyrant as he does about pardoning his own son. The reasons are the same. And this “peaceful transfer of power” issue is bs!
Biden will violate his Oath to protect and defend the Constitution by handing Russian agents and Insurrectionists our Govt who will replace it. GOP stole this election after telling us they would. Harris needs to get Biden to step down or 24th him. No law or pardon will matter under the GOP.
Instead of wasting time piling on to the media frenzy about Biden's pardon, how about an episode on what legal measures need to be taken now and in the future to do everything possible to stop Trump's extremist policies. Much more useful.
Comments
Backlash against whom?
A lame duck President?
What consequences await democrats here exactly?
Next question.
Glad Biden pardoned Hunter - a wise "FU" to Trump.
And only corporate boot lickers will Both Sides this issue…
Stop letting Rs gaslight us.
Move on to something more substantial, please.
of “…but her emails” in 2016.
We all know how well that ended.
President Biden needs to pardon everyone in trump's revenge list. They haven't committed any crimes but he will go after them.
The entire January 6 committee. The Obamas, The Clintons, FDR etc etc
https://youtu.be/Ts5Ae0h6XaU?si=dR2NHp9jz_E5biaC
The question is, “What is the country going to do about the dangerous and unqualified cabinet nominees?”
If Biden was "flooding the zone with shit" about Trump's nominees, the media would have little time to worry about his pardoning his son.
But Biden has created an opposition leadership void....
But you may not be, and the “of course” is problematic.
If Dems just fall into playing the same games as the R’s are now under Trump, we may move the Overton window and then that’s it, that’s politics now.
The electorate has to get over the fever dream of Trumpism.
the problem isn't Trumpism. Its fascism, disguised as populism, that will remain powerful unless and until the opposition stops enabling it and starts fighting it.
As a practical matter, however, it is a very well-deserved slap in the face for Biden's farcically inept Attorney General, Merrick Garland, and a lesson in realpolitik for shilly-shallying Dems.
My real point is simply that if Merrick Garland had not so hopelessly and haplessly f*cked up as America's Most Cowardly AG Ever, neither Joe nor Hunter would even be in the extremely awkward positions that they're in today.
Now if Joe would pardon women in prison because they killed their abusing husbands; that would be awesome. And kick in the face to all the circus clowns tRump has put into play.
Trump is lining his administration with election deniers, loyalty oaths and vendettas to be their top priority.
Biden had no choice. It wasn’t the “right” move, it was the ONLY move.
There is nothing else to discuss.
fascist and working on Clownstick von Fuckface’s enemies list on day one? Absolutely.
We live in different times. The media needs to catch up.