President Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter has drawn criticism from some Democrats.
The move prompted a wave of Republican criticism Sunday night, but as of late Monday morning, a growing number of Democrats were also expressing concerns.
“As a father, I understand that. But as someone who wants people to believe in public service again, this is a setback,” Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, wrote to X.
Hunter Biden's sweeping pardon covers any crimes that may have occurred between 2014 and December of this year. This comes as he faces possible prison time on separate firearms and tax charges.
Lawmakers harshly criticize Biden's decision to pardon Hunter
House Democrats, including Reps. Greg Landsman and Greg Stanton, are pushing back against President Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter. (Getty Images)
The 82-year-old president accused Republicans of weaponizing the justice system against his son, saying he had been “selectively and unfairly prosecuted.”
“I respect President Biden, but I think he got this wrong,” said Rep. Greg Stanton, an Arizona Democrat. “This was not a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed a felony and was convicted by a jury of his peers.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, also criticized the decision.
“As a father, I certainly understand, [Biden’s] I am disappointed that he put his family above his country when he had a legitimate desire to forgive and help his son. This is a bad precedent that could be exploited by future presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,” Polis said in a lengthy statement.
Hunter Biden says his mistake was 'exploited' by political sports, and he'll never forgive himself
Biden announced the pardon Sunday night. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
“Hunter brought upon himself the legal problems he faced, and one can sympathize with his struggle while at the same time recognizing that no one is above the law, including the president and the president's son. ”
Still, the president's other Democratic allies pushed back.
Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who served with Mr. Biden in the Obama administration, responded to Police on
Holder wrote in another post: “No. [U.S. attorney] Given the basic facts, this case would have been indicted. The findings after five years of research have only made that clearer. If his name had been Joe Smith, the solution would have been radically, and more equitably, to decline. Pardon is guaranteed. ”
Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Maryland, said there are “mixed opinions” about Biden's pardons.
Biden pardons son Hunter Biden before leaving Oval Office
Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who is pictured with former President Obama, defended Biden's decision. (Yuri Gripus/AFP via Getty Images)
Like Holder, he argued that Hunter's last name was a factor in the charges against him, but feared it could set a precedent that Republicans could use against him.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I don't think Hunter Biden would have been prosecuted under those circumstances, but a pardon at this point would be used against Democrats who are trying to protect the Justice Department from politicization, and if that's the president's There's no doubt that the idea is that Mr. Trump is going to do that,'' Ivey told CNN on Monday morning.
“We know there was a strong feeling to protect Hunter Biden from unjustified prosecution, but this will be used against us as we fight abuses by the Trump administration. .”
