Former Obama spokesman discusses Biden's controversial pardons and their implications
Lawmakers are reacting to President Biden's controversial pardons, including family members and Judge Conahan, citing disrespect to victims and questioning the legitimacy of his pardon power.
Former Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor was grilled by Fox News host Jesse Watters regarding the future of the Democrat Party in light of President Joe Biden's extensive presidential pardon spree, which has seen over 3,000 individuals have their sentences either commuted or pardoned.
The final pardons, issued just before Biden's presidency concluded, included several members of his own family, notably James Biden, Hunter Biden, and Valerie Biden-Owens. This came shortly after a record-breaking 1,500 commutations in one day, including that of Pennsylvania Judge Michael Conahan, who was previously embroiled in a scandal involving the exploitation of juvenile offenders.
Pennsylvania state Sen. Lisa Baker expressed her outrage, describing Biden's pardon of Conahan as "disrespectful" to victims and the juvenile justice system, asserting that it undermines efforts toward reform.
Baker and other lawmakers are pushing to improve notification processes for victims concerning pardons and releases, stating that current systems, which are voluntary, fail to automatically inform victims of changes in status for convicts.
Rep. Dan Meuser voiced concerns over Biden's use of pardons for family and individuals linked to past criticisms of Trump, arguing that such actions diminish the gravity of the presidential pardon power, which is intended to correct injustices rather than protect family members from accountability.
Meuser reaffirmed that the presidential pardon power is constitutionally protected, making it difficult for Congress to intervene or modify its application. He reiterated that, historically, pardons should aim to provide clemency for severe injustices rather than serving personal interests.
Despite widespread disapproval of his pardons, Meuser pointed out that the Constitution does not allow for legislative checks on this power without amendments.
Rep. Rob Bresnahan, who represents a district flipped from Biden's control in the last election, remarked on the disappointment expressed during the campaign regarding Biden's intent to refrain from such actions. He noted that many Americans are similarly unsurprised by the pardons.
In response to community backlash, Baker is working on legislation aimed at renaming local infrastructure associated with Biden. Specifically, she mentioned the potential removal of his name from the "President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Expressway," which was designated in 2021, highlighting the desire for a more deserving figure to be honored instead.
Baker concluded that Biden's legacy is inevitably tarnished by the actions surrounding Conahan's pardon, emphasizing the necessity of justice for juvenile victims and their families.
