Every Father expects his boy to do the things he wouldn`t do when he was young.
- Kin Hubbard
President Biden issues pardon for son Hunter, claiming he was 'unfairly prosecuted'
Biden’s Pardon of Hunter: A Justifiable Act in a Post-Democracy World
Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter, is not just a defensible act; it is a necessary one in an era where the rules of democracy have been shredded, largely by the GOP.
Those feigning outrage at this decision should pause to reflect on the monumental shifts that have occurred in America’s political landscape—shifts that render traditional notions of "principle" and "fair play" obsolete.
This story doesn’t begin with Hunter Biden’s legal troubles or his father’s pardon. It starts decades ago, when the GOP embarked on a systematic campaign to dismantle the guardrails of democracy.
From Newt Gingrich’s hyper-partisan revolution in the 1990s to Mitch McConnell’s unprecedented obstructionism, the Republican playbook has been clear: seize power at all costs, even if it means undermining democratic institutions.
The Perfect Call and the Forever War on Biden
Let’s revisit July 25, 2019, a date that should live in infamy. Then-President Donald Trump used the power of his office to pressure a foreign leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy*, to dig up dirt on Joe Biden’s family.
This “perfect” call wasn’t just an abuse of power—it was the opening salvo in a GOP-led smear campaign against Hunter Biden, a campaign that has persisted for years. The aim was never justice or accountability; it was political warfare.
Hunter Biden became the sacrificial lamb, a convenient target for MAGA anger and disinformation. And yet, despite years of relentless attacks, no evidence has emerged tying Joe Biden to any wrongdoing.
The charges against Hunter are, in the grand scheme, trivial—especially when compared to the transgressions of the Trump family, whose conflicts of interest and self-dealing make Hunter’s tax issues look like jaywalking.
A Post-Democracy Reality
The Supreme Court’s decisions over the past decade, culminating in their effective coronation of the presidency as a quasi-monarchical institution, have cemented America’s slide into oligarchy.
By shielding Trump from accountability for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, SCOTUS has signaled that presidents can act with impunity. This isn’t democracy—it’s a post-democratic power struggle, and the GOP knows how to wield that power ruthlessly.
Hunter Biden’s pardon must be viewed through this lens. In a fair system, Joe Biden would have had the luxury of adhering to principle, allowing his son to face the consequences of his actions. But we no longer live in a fair system.
The GOP has weaponized the legal system to punish its enemies and shield its allies. If Democrats don’t adapt to this reality, they will continue to lose—not just elections but the very framework of American governance.
The Double Standards Are Laughable
Let’s compare the outrage over Hunter’s pardon to the GOP’s unabashed plans for Trump’s second term. “Project 2025” promises a wholesale dismantling of democratic norms, from purging the civil service to pardoning January 6th insurrectionists. Trump has openly vowed to pardon his allies, no matter how egregious their crimes.
In this context, Biden’s decision to pardon his son is small potatoes. It is an act of personal mercy, not a political strategy to overthrow democracy. To those who claim it undermines the rule of law: where was your outrage when Trump commuted Roger Stone’s sentence or dangled pardons to silence witnesses? Hypocrisy, thy name is MAGA.
The Case for Playing Dirty
For too long, Democrats have clung to the illusion that they can win by playing fair. That time has passed. The GOP has spent decades mastering the art of bending—and breaking—the rules. Gerrymandering, voter suppression, and dark money have tilted the playing field so steeply that Democrats risk permanent minority status unless they adapt.
Biden’s pardon of Hunter isn’t just an act of compassion; it’s a message. The old rules are dead, and Democrats must learn to fight fire with fire. If the GOP can bend the legal system to persecute its enemies, Democrats must be willing to protect their own.
A Father’s Last Stand
Ultimately, Joe Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter is as much about humanity as it is about politics. Faced with the prospect of a vindictive Trump administration targeting his son, Biden chose mercy. It’s a choice any parent would make, and it’s a choice that underscores the difference between the two parties.
The GOP thrives on cruelty; Biden still believes in compassion. But compassion doesn’t mean weakness. If Democrats want to preserve what’s left of American democracy, they need to get comfortable with fighting dirty.
Hunter’s pardon is not a betrayal of principle; it’s an acknowledgment of reality. And in this post-democracy world, reality favors those who are willing to fight for their survival. Go, Joe. No more Mr. Nice Guy. You have a some days left....
Sincerely,
Adaptation-Guide
* According to the US Library of Congress Romanisation tables, a character-for-character rendering of the Ukrainian president’s name into the Latin alphabet would result in the spelling: “Zelenskyy,” which according to his former spokesperson Iuliia Mendel, is the official spelling used by the Ukrainian Passport Service.
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