Dean Phillips Rips Biden’s Decision To Pardon Son Hunter: ‘A Tragic Moment in American Political History’
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) called President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden “a tragic moment in American political history” on Tuesday, warning that the country was “taking some really dark turns.”
Asked by NewsNation host Leland Vittert whether there was “a danger for Democrats and for the Democratic brand with what Joe Biden’s gonna do in the next 49 days,” Phillips replied, “I think most of the damage has been done. Lost election, we got crushed.”
He continued:
The pardoning of his son Hunter, a tragic moment in American political history, and we can all relate to having a child that we want to protect, and many Americans, too many American families can relate to how addiction can destroy people and families, but none of us, not one of us other than one, can relate to the power to actually pardon our children, and that’s what makes the United States so different than other countries. I’m afraid we’re taking some really dark turns, Leland. Donald Trump abused pardons, Joe Biden I believe has now done the same, and frankly most presidents do, and I think it’s time for some reform.
Phillips – who challenged Biden for the Democratic nomination last year, before dropping out and endorsing his opponent – concluded, “As for the coming weeks before the inauguration, look, is there risk? Yes, but there’s also an opportunity for Joe Biden to do some things, make some statements, maybe even make some apologies for his missteps that would help the Democratic brand and party as we proceed to the midterms.”
Biden’s decision to pardon his son for any crimes “he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024” received mixed reactions from Democrats this week.
Former Biden White House press secretary Jen Psaki warned the decision was “not good politics,” while former Republican congressman Joe Walsh – who endorsed Biden in both 2020 and 2024 – described the move as “utter bullshit, just plain wrong, & stupidly selfish.”
Watch above via NewsNation.
