President Joe Biden’s recent decision to pardon his son, Hunter, has caused a political uproar, and it may have serious consequences for the fairness of the U.S. justice system. By using his presidential power to absolve his son of charges related to gun possession and tax evasion, Biden has given Republicans a new argument to claim that the justice system is being manipulated for political purposes. This move could further fuel the attacks on the legal system and provide an opening for Donald Trump and his allies to push their own agenda during a potential second term in office.
Biden’s pardon was a surprise, especially since he had repeatedly said he wouldn’t intervene in his son’s case. The decision came just days after special counsel Jack Smith moved to dismiss federal charges against Trump related to election interference and classified documents. Taken together, these events raise troubling questions about the fairness of the U.S. legal system and whether it’s being used to protect powerful political figures.
Before this, Biden had avoided getting involved in his son’s legal troubles. Hunter Biden had been convicted of illegally buying and possessing a firearm while struggling with addiction, as well as failing to pay taxes on a large income. Despite the pressure from some Republicans to intervene, Biden had always insisted he wouldn’t use his power to help his son. But as the political climate shifted following Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, Biden made the surprising decision to issue the pardon just before Hunter was scheduled for sentencing. This has led to concerns that the justice system is becoming more politicized.
Politically, Biden’s move could backfire. Many Republicans are already arguing that the president is undermining the rule of law by giving his son special treatment. They see this as more proof that the legal system is being used to protect the powerful, not deliver justice.
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Republicans have long used the justice system for their own political advantage, yet now they’re pretending to be outraged by Biden’s actions. During Trump’s presidency, he issued a string of pardons to protect political allies, including Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, and even his daughter Ivanka’s father-in-law, Charles Kushner. These pardons were widely criticized as self-serving and politically motivated, but Republicans had little to say about them at the time. Now, however, they are quick to condemn Biden’s decision to pardon his son, claiming it’s proof of a politicized justice system.
But the Republican outcry over this pardon is not only hypocritical — it’s politically advantageous for them, allowing them to claim that the justice system is being politicized while conveniently ignoring their own history of using the system for political gain.
The pardon also gives Trump and his supporters a new argument: any time Trump faces criticism for his own use of pardons — such as when he protected his allies during his first term — he can now point to Biden’s action and say that the system is equally corrupt under both administrations.
For Trump, the timing couldn’t be better. With calls growing among his supporters to pardon those involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Biden’s pardon of Hunter gives Trump a chance to argue that the justice system is rigged, and that he would be justified in issuing pardons to his own supporters. Trump wasted no time using the situation to his advantage, asking whether Biden’s pardon would also apply to the so-called “J-6 hostages,” a term Trump and his allies use to describe those arrested for their role in the Capitol riot.
Biden’s defenders argue that the pardon was an act of compassion, meant to protect his son, who has struggled with addiction. They point out that Hunter Biden’s legal troubles were largely tied to his personal issues and the public scrutiny that came with his family’s political connections. Yet, the political fallout from the pardon is undeniable. By taking this step, Biden has opened the door for further political exploitation of the justice system.
At the heart of this issue is a growing sense that the justice system is no longer impartial, but rather shaped by political considerations. Both Biden and Trump have used their powers to protect their families, leading many to question whether the rule of law still applies equally to everyone. Biden’s statement defending his son’s pardon echoed Trump’s own defense of his actions: both argue that the system is rigged against them and their families. Biden even referred to the special treatment his son received from the Justice Department, which is led by a Trump appointee, as evidence of political bias.
But by issuing the pardon, Biden has also raised new concerns. While there is no direct evidence that the president himself benefited from his son’s business dealings, the appearance of a conflict of interest remains. Hunter Biden’s business ties in Ukraine and China during Joe Biden’s time as vice president have been the subject of Republican investigations, even though no evidence of wrongdoing has been found. Biden’s decision to pardon his son for actions dating back to 2014 — the year Hunter joined the board of a Ukrainian energy company — could be seen as an attempt to protect him from any potential fallout from those past dealings.
The pardon may have been a father’s attempt to shield his son from a harsh legal penalty. But in the current political climate, it has only added fuel to the fire of those who believe the justice system is being used for political gain. Biden’s decision could also set a dangerous precedent. If future presidents follow his example, we could see more instances of powerful individuals using the pardon power to protect their families and allies from prosecution.
This is especially concerning as Trump prepares for his second term. It’s likely that his supporters will push him to issue pardons for those involved in the January 6th Capitol riot. The idea that the justice system can be manipulated to favor one’s political allies is a dangerous one, and Biden’s pardon of Hunter Biden only makes it easier for Trump to justify similar actions.
In the end, Biden’s pardon may have opened a Pandora’s box, one that Trump and his Republican allies are sure to exploit. As both sides increasingly use the justice system to settle political scores, Americans may lose confidence in the fairness of the legal system. If this trend continues, it could further divide the country and leave many wondering if anyone, regardless of political power, will ever truly be held accountable for their actions.
