Although some Republicans are dissatisfied with President Biden's largest amnesty package in a single day, many Democrats are hopeful that it will be expanded.
“At this point, I'm not surprised anymore,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida. “I think I'm still trying to get over that after Hunter Biden promised America he wouldn't do that.”
Earlier this month, Biden granted a major pardon to his son Hunter Biden, despite having promised not to do so. Hunter was convicted in two separate federal cases.
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Biden announced hundreds of layoffs Thursday. (Samuel Corum/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
According to Rep. Ralph Norman, R.S.C., Biden lost whatever credibility he had left in pardoning his son.
“Every president does the same thing at the end of his term. Where is the bar?” asked Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas). “Nobody knows. We've never gone into deep water to see exactly who he's touching. But this is America, hey?”
The president announced Thursday that he had commuted the sentences of about 1,500 people and granted pardons to 39 nonviolent offenders.
“Does that say anything about how corrupt he thinks this administration is?” wondered Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.).
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Luna said she still can't get over the president's pardon for Hunter. (Getty Images)
“These are big numbers,” Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Lindsey Graham, R.S.C., told Fox News Digital.
“He's going to have to stand by his choices. I haven't looked closely at who they are. That's the president's prerogative.”
Outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin (Idaho, Virginia) reacted to Biden's clemency grant to reporters Thursday, recalling his own limited use of pardons when he was governor.
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He wanted to make sure that the person could not be pardoned “unless I have done very little and the community agrees.”
“I will make sure that my staff goes back and checks that area and does due diligence and a detailed investigation,” he explained.
Asked if he believed the Biden administration had done its own due diligence on those eligible for commutation, Manchin said: “I'll think about it. I believe in the process. I believe in the system. So I hope so.”
The White House released the list on December 12th. Those who were granted pardon.
Manchin hoped the Biden administration would do its due diligence. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) issued a statement approving Biden's actions.
“The President has taken the important step of commuting the sentences of these men and women. In too many cases in our justice system, the punishment does not fit the crime. For many years, I have worked hard to address these inequities. We are grateful to President Biden for this compassionate act and for his leadership in advocating for and applauding criminal justice reform.''
“These people have safely returned to their communities and been reunited with their families. I urge the President to use his pardon power for the remainder of his term to address miscarriages of justice, as the Founders of this democracy intended. I urge you to continue exercising your powers.”
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Welch supported Biden's move. (Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images)
Other Democrats also applauded the move, with Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, telling reporters, “These are nonviolent criminals, and I think they're showing compassion. Never. Not,” he said. [this] It would endanger public safety. So I support the president and I support what he has done. ”
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Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said Thursday: “We hope that Mr. Biden will show clemency to death row inmates. We're still looking.” , expressed enthusiasm for more similar actions by Biden. For the next list of people. ”
Rep. Dan Goldman (D.N.Y.) said he would use the pardon power to support Biden, although he had not looked at all the people affected. “It's important to use that pardon power and leniency to level the system and evolve the system as we move forward,” he explained.
