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Undercurrents

Lee Fang: Hunter Biden’s pardon is worse than you think

Dec 3, 2024
Lee Fang, an independent journalist known for his in-depth work on Hunter Biden, discusses the controversial pardon of Hunter by President Biden. He reveals why this pardon is more troubling than many acknowledge, examining its historical implications and potential shield against accountability. Fang delves into the dynamics of power and privilege, highlighting the ethical dilemmas intertwined with Hunter's personal struggles and political influence. He also draws parallels to past presidential pardons, questioning their long-term impact on legal practices.
27:31

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The sweeping nature of Hunter Biden's pardon raises significant concerns about accountability within political families and potential erosion of legal standards.
  • The implications of Hunter Biden's actions during his father's vice presidency highlight critical issues regarding ethical governance and the influence of political connections.

Deep dives

The Impact of Hunter Biden's Presidential Pardon

The presidential pardon granted to Hunter Biden has significant implications, covering a broad range of potential offenses over nearly a decade. This unprecedented scope, which extends from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024, raises eyebrows among legal experts, as it includes not just his felony gun and tax charges but all offenses he may have committed during that time. Critics point out that this lack of specificity in the pardon resembles historical precedents like Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon, highlighting a potential erosion of accountability for political families. The broad nature of the pardon essentially shields Hunter Biden from future legal scrutiny, while also insulating President Biden himself from any ethical ramifications linked to his son's actions, particularly given the allegations of influence peddling connected to Hunter's business dealings during Biden’s vice presidency.

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