A Son's Pardon
U.S. President Joe Biden has granted his son, Hunter Biden, a full pardon. This action frees the younger Biden from sentencing that was expected to occur this month in two cases related to gun and tax violations. It also eliminates the possibility of prosecution of any other “offenses against the United States” committed between January 1, 2014 and December 1, 2024. The pardon marks a reversal in the President’s long-running pledge to not use the pardon power in his son’s legal cases.
Analysis and eternal perspective: The pardoning of Hunter Biden was surprising on one hand and entirely predictable on the other. Presidents regularly promise to use this extraordinary—and controversial—power sparingly, but nearly always end up using it near the end of their time in office in ways that are difficult to defend. In this case, the President says he believes politics motivated and tainted the prosecution of his son, while others—including President-elect Donald Trump—are responding that nobody should be above the law. Democrat Joe Manchin went so far as to say that, while he was not surprised a father would use the pardon power in this way for his son, it would have been better to couple it with pardons for Trump, as well.
The pardon power, like many things in modern American politics, no longer resembles what the Founders had in mind when they designed it. While America’s judicial system is designed to ensure that no person—including a president or a president’s family—are above the law, recent application of the pardon power has resulted in the opposite. Every president in recent history has used the pardon power in very controversial ways, and it is highly likely that streak will continue unless and until there is an amendment to Article II of the U.S. Constitution.
This story, as well as the underlying policy debate, is naturally divisive and invokes a number of substantive issues that warrant your understanding. If you want to learn more about this power, begin by reading Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution for yourself.
Next, as Jesus followers, it should be impossible for us to read about a pardoning (even within the context of fallen governments of men) without rejoicing for the pardon granted to us. This truth sits at the very foundation of the Gospel story, and as such is sprinkled all throughout God’s Word, but for this week, revel in the description of this overwhelming grace afforded to you found in Colossians 1:13-14:
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Glory!
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.