Rep. James Clyburn, D.S.C., admitted Tuesday night that he was among the people who urged President Biden to pardon his son Hunter Biden.
During an appearance on CNN’s “Laura Coates Live,” the prominent Democratic lawmaker He told host Laura Coates that he supports the pardon, even as many in the party criticize the president for it and say Biden’s son is a political target and needs protection.
“I’m absolutely okay with it. I don’t know how many people urged him to do it, but I did it,” Clyburn stated on the program.
The president announced this on Sunday forgave his sonan action that includes all possible crimes committed by Hunter Biden between January 1, 2014 and December 1, 2024.
Lawmakers are harshly criticizing Biden’s decision to pardon HUNTER
Representative James Clyburn, D.S.C. told CNN on Tuesday that he had urged President Biden to pardon Hunter Biden. (Screenshot/CNN)
In his statement, Biden accused the Justice Department of targeting his son, saying, “From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I have kept my word , even when I looked at my opinion. son is being selectively and unfairly prosecuted.”
Biden’s move was criticized by many liberalswith some Democratic figures saying it harms the American justice system. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said, “President Biden’s decision puts personal interest above duty and further undermines Americans’ faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all.”
The editorial staff of the Washington Post also condemned the measure this week, arguing that it provides “cover” for newly elected President Donald Trump’s long-held belief that the DOJ is weaponized against him.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., also took Biden to task and said he was going back on his word.
“With everything the president and his family have been through, I completely understand the instinct to protect Hunter,” Newsom told Politico on Tuesday, adding: “But I took the president at his word. So by definition I am disappointed and I cannot support the decision.”
Clyburn made his points in direct response to Newsom’s words, telling Coates that he pushed Biden to pardon his son “because I know he was targeted.”
“We all know that, but the fact that he was Joe Biden’s son, he would never have gone through these spins,” Clyburn said, speaking for himself and other Democratic figures.
HUNTER BIDEN SAYS HIS ERRORS WERE ‘USED’ FOR POLITICAL SPORTS, HE WILL NEVER ACCEPT DATA
The president announced Sunday that he had pardoned his son, a measure that covers all possible crimes Hunter Biden committed between 2014 and December 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
The congressman added that he gave this advice to Biden two weeks ago and revealed that the president needed some convincing.
When Coates asked him what Biden’s response was, Clyburn said, “He seemed a little reserved about it, but I was emphasizing the fact that we as fathers have obligations to our children.”
Clyburn then suggested that Biden’s son was being treated unfairly, which is why he made the recommendation. “If Hunter had gone through a process like everyone else had, I wouldn’t have this feeling. But if you are prosecuted because you didn’t fill out a form to get a gun that you never used – that was even taken away and thrown away – and then you are prosecuted for making it a crime.
Elsewhere, he added, “And so, as Joe Biden left office, he had to do what he could to protect his son.”
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In another part of the interview, the lawmaker also mentioned that he had a list of individuals he would like Biden to preemptively pardon so that the Trump DOJ can’t go after them once in power.
“Jack Smith’s name is on my list. Liz Cheney’s name is on my list. I think they should all be pardoned preemptively because I think there are people that Trump can bring into this administration who will go after these people in a serious way. and there is no need to subject them to it.”
Elizabeth Elkind of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
