Biden Pardons Son & Drake Legal Moves Over Kendrick Lamar
Dec 3, 2024
auto_awesome
Philip Bobbitt, a constitutional law scholar from Columbia Law School, delves into the controversial pardon President Biden granted to his son, Hunter, analyzing its legal and political implications. Ronald Bienstock, an entertainment attorney, shifts the focus to Drake's legal maneuvers against Universal Music, sparked by Kendrick Lamar's diss track. The discussion navigates the tensions in the music industry, touching on issues like payola and defamation that are reshaping hip-hop's landscape.
President Biden's unconditional pardon for Hunter raises critical questions about accountability and public trust in the justice system.
Drake's legal action against Universal over Kendrick Lamar's diss track highlights the intricate intersection of music rights and artistic expression.
Deep dives
Meta's Open Source AI Initiative
Meta's open-source AI initiative allows small businesses, startups, students, and researchers to access and utilize its AI models for free. This initiative aims to democratize AI technology by making it widely available, encouraging innovation and creativity among a diverse group of users. By removing cost barriers, the initiative fosters an environment where individuals can build unique applications and solutions that benefit society as a whole. The idea is that when AI is accessible to all, it creates a ripple effect of progress and collaboration across various sectors.
Instagram's Teen Account Protections
Instagram has introduced new account settings designed specifically for teens, emphasizing safety and privacy. These settings include automatic protections that limit who can contact teens and regulate the content they can view, thereby creating a safer online environment for younger users. Additionally, the platform mandates that teens under 16 must have parental approval to modify certain safety settings, ensuring parental involvement in their online activities. This initiative reflects a growing concern for the well-being of teenagers in digital spaces and highlights the responsibility of social media platforms to protect young users.
President Biden's Pardon of Hunter Biden
President Biden's recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, has sparked significant debate, especially given the contrasting statements made by the President in the past regarding potential pardoning. The pardon not only covers Hunter's felony convictions related to gun and tax offenses but also offers protection against any federal charges for the previous decade. This broad scope has raised concerns among some lawmakers about the implications for justice and accountability, arguing that it undermines the notion of equal treatment under the law. Critics suggest that such actions can erode public trust in the justice system and establish a precedent for future misuse of presidential pardon powers.
Implications of the Pardon's Broad Scope
The extensive nature of Hunter Biden's pardon has led to comparisons with historical precedents, notably President Nixon's forward pardon. Legal experts highlight that the pardon may have been motivated by fears of politically motivated prosecutions by future administrations, particularly from President Trump's camp. This situation reflects a concerning development in the political atmosphere, where presidential actions might be driven more by personal concerns than by principles of justice. Ultimately, this could lead to a troubling pattern where extraordinary measures are taken to protect family members from legal consequences, potentially influencing how future presidents approach the pardon power.
Constitutional scholar Philip Bobbitt, a professor at Columbia Law School, discusses President Joe Biden giving his son Hunter, a sweeping unconditional pardon for any federal crimes committed over a decade. Entertainment attorney Ronald Bienstock, a partner at Scarinci Hollenbeck, describes hip-hop superstar Drake’s legal moves against Universal over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” June Grasso hosts.