When President Joe Biden announced that he was ending his bid for reelection, New Hampshire Democrat Maggie Goodlander compared him to George Washington.
“I was so proud to have served in President Biden’s administration. I think he’s a true American patriot,” Goodlander said during her campaign for Congress. “President George Washington passed off the baton. And I think that President Biden has made a decision that he saw fit for this country, and I admire him for that.”
But when asked about Biden making the decision to issue a sweeping pardon to his son Hunter, convicted of gun and tax fraud crimes, Goodlander was a no comment.
After repeatedly pledging he would accept the legal system’s judgment, Biden announced late Sunday he was going back on his word and pardoning Hunter for any crimes he’s been convicted for, as well as any other criminal actions he may have committed going back to January 1, 2014.
“No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son – and that is wrong,” Biden said, claiming the Department of Justice indictments of his son are politically motivated. It’s a claim President-elect Donald Trump has made several times about the DOJ as well.
Earlier this year, as Biden’s struggles with age were ever more apparent, the New Hampshire federal delegation denied he had a problem. Instead, they rallied around the “write-in” push in the First in the Nation presidential primary, insisting Biden was fit for another four years as the commander in chief. When he dropped out, they praised his character.
“President Biden has been one of America’s most accomplished and consequential presidents,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. “As he always has, President Biden is once again putting the country he loves first, and I thank him for his unwavering dedication and service to our nation.”
Asked about Biden’s use of the pardon power to stop an investigation of his son that could lead back to him and his family, Shaheen declined to respond. Sen. Maggie Hassan and Rep. Chris Pappas also did not answer questions about the pardon.
New Hampshire Republicans, on the other hand, were happy to speak out.
“I don’t think anyone is really surprised” by Biden’s actions, said Gov. Chris Sununu. “It just confirms what America is so frustrated with: Special rules and privileges for Washington’s elite.”
And New Hampshire GOP state chair Chris Ager called Biden out.
“Joe Biden says, ‘Nobody is above the law.’ Except Hunter.”
Biden repeatedly pledged not to pardon his son, saying he would accept the outcome of the legal system regarding his son.
“I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him,” Biden said after his son pled guilty on drug and gun charges.
“No. No. It’s a no. It will always be a no. Biden will not pardon his son Hunter,” said Biden’s spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre earlier this year.
Now Biden is making the same accusations Trump has made, namely that America’s criminal justice system has been warped by partisan politics.
A handful of Democrats have pushed back.
“I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country. This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.
And New Hampshire Democratic activist Jay Surdukowski responded with a single word: “Disgraceful.”
Ironically, one person who isn’t surprised by Biden’s actions is Donald Trump.
In October, Trump told Fox News, “I wouldn’t do anything that would be overt in terms of Hunter. It’s a sad situation. I’ll bet you the father probably pardons him.
“But he’s a bad boy,” Trump added. “No question about it.”
