Former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan shared a pointed message with Democrats on Sunday following President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden on federal gun and tax charges, despite having previously stated he would not do so.
“I see Congressional Dems on Twitter coming out to condemn Biden on Hunter,” Hasan wrote on X. “I get it[,] but this is why Republicans win in our asymmetric politics.” The move was widely criticized by several Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Gary Peters (MI), Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA), and Sen. Michael Bennett (CO), who called the pardon “an improper use of power” and the “wrong decision” to make.
Politico reported on the backlash as Biden’s decision continued to stir debate within the party. In his response, Hasan rejected the idea that Biden’s pardon would somehow “justify” or “excuse” former President Trump pardoning those involved in the January 6th insurrection. “I love this idea that Biden pardoning Hunter will somehow ‘justify’ or ‘excuse’ Trump pardoning the Jan 6th prisoners,” Hasan remarked, “ignoring the fact that: 1.
Trump had promised to pardon them long before Biden did this. 2. There is nothing comparable between Hunter’s crimes [and] their crimes.” While Hasan personally disagreed with Biden’s decision, he argued that the bipartisan outrage over the pardon was misplaced. “I don’t think he should have pardoned him, especially as he swore he wouldn’t, and I don’t actually think presidents should have a pardon power,” he wrote.
“But spare me the faux outrage from the Trump Republican Party.” Hasan’s comments highlight the political divide over Biden’s decision, emphasizing the complexities of partisan reactions and the uneven political landscape in which both parties operate.