On December 1, weeks before departing the Oval Office, President Joe Biden granted an unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden. The pardon encompasses all federal crimes committed between January 1, 2014 and December 1, 2024.
The decision was met with strong criticism from NBC News’ chief political analyst, Chuck Todd. Todd questioned Biden’s emotional suitability for the presidency, even suggesting that Biden should not have run for office.
In a video shared by CNN’s Chris Cillizza, Todd criticized Biden for pardoning his son, who was awaiting sentencing on federal charges related to gun possession and tax evasion. Todd also questioned Biden’s decision to run for the presidency.
Todd attributed both the current state of the nation and the Democratic Party to Biden’s decision to run for office, particularly in the wake of Donald Trump’s reelection.
The pardon eradicates the risk of incarceration for Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing for federal tax evasion and firearm offenses. Hunter Biden had admitted to three felony tax offenses and six misdemeanor tax offenses, which involved a scheme lasting four years where he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes.
In justifying his decision, President Biden claimed his son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” and that the charges were politically motivated. He also asserted that “raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.”
This pardon marks a significant shift from Biden’s earlier stance, where he had expressed a commitment to not interfere with the justice system by pardoning his son.
Chuck Todd, who has previously revealed a personal connection with the Biden family, offered stern criticism of the president’s decision, labeling it “a huge mistake” and questioning Biden’s dedication to public service.
The pardon is wide-ranging, not only covering current charges but also potentially encompassing any crimes related to Hunter Biden’s controversial tenure on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma, a position that has been a focus of Republican scrutiny.
The timing of the pardon, just weeks before the transition of power to President-elect Donald Trump, is notable. Trump has consistently criticized Hunter Biden’s legal and personal problems over the years.
In response to the pardon, Hunter Biden pledged to not take the clemency for granted and expressed a desire to dedicate his life to assisting others dealing with addiction.
The decision has been met with bipartisan disapproval, with both Democrats and Republicans voicing concerns that it undermines the justice system.
The reaction on social media was mixed, with some right-leaning users praising Todd’s remarks, while others dismissed his criticism of President Biden.
One social media user dismissed Todd’s input, stating, “Chuck Todd is full of sh** and now wants to call President Biden ‘selfish.’ His opinion is irrelevant now.”
