Governor Polis criticizes Joe Biden for pardoning his son Hunter
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is not happy with President Joe Biden.
The Democrat criticized the sitting president for granting his son, Hunter Biden, an expansive pardon.
Polis said that while he understands why Biden did it, he disagrees with the decision.
"While as a father I certainly understand President @JoeBiden's natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country," Polis posted on X. "This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation. When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation. Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles while also acknowledging that no one is above the law, not a President and not a President's son."
Joe Biden
President Biden also received widespread criticism from conservatives for his decision; President-elect Donald Trump was among those who criticized the decision as an abuse of power.
"Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?" Trump said in a statement. "Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!"
Hunter Biden faced tax and gun-related charges that would have sent him to federal prison. However, the presidential pardon covers any possible crimes his son committed dating back to 2014. That covers the timeframe when he was overseas and did millions of dollars in business deals using the Biden name, according to House investigations.
Hunter Biden's plea agreement with the Department of Justice fell through earlier this year due to pressure from Republican lawmakers who argued the deal was too favorable.
Defending the pardon in a statement on Sunday, Biden said the charges against his son were politically motivated by Republicans in Congress.
"Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form," Biden said in a statement. "Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently."
