President Biden’s decision to go back on his word and pardon his son will be a permanent stain on his legacy, a presidential historian said Thursday.
Douglas Brinkley, a professor at Rice University, argued to USA Today that there is “nothing positive” about it Biden’s decision. The pardon has already drawn criticism from Republicans and even Biden’s allies in Congress.
“The problem that President Biden has in terms of his legacy is that he said he would not pardon his son,” Brinkley said. “He gave his word, skipped a beat, and unfortunately in the end he did it. It will seem unfair to some people and other people will say it’s a father doing what he had to do.”
He added that the pardon will only be a “dark sign” for Biden’s future term.
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Hunter Biden’s pardon will leave a “dark mark” on his father’s presidency, a historian says. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
Brinkley also noticed the problems Hunter caused for his father’s presidency since taking office. Investigations into the first son have resonated in Congress and the media, countering the ongoing criminal investigation into President-elect Trump.
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“Hunter Biden has been an albatross around his father’s neck throughout his presidency,” Brinkley said.
Brinkley further argues that Trump’s victory in November may have been the deciding factor, with Biden fearing the new administration would target his son with more investigations.
President Biden and his son Hunter Biden. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Nevertheless, this move did not gain him any allies. California Governor Gavin Newsom, typically a close ally of the president, said he was “disappointed” in the decision and that he “cannot support” it.
Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-California, The chairman of the Congressional Democratic Caucus also said Wednesday he was “disappointed” in the decision. He further noted that Biden had gone back on his word.
Governor Gavin Newsom said he was “disappointed” that President Biden chose to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Biden had vowed several times that he would not intervene in his son’s case, first in June when his son was convicted of three firearms charges, and then in September after Hunter pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges.
“I’m not going to do anything,” Biden said this summer. ‘I’ll stick to it the jury’s decision.”
