Despite the prevailing political diversities, the rare alignment of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump came into the limelight when both the political figures unveiled their disapproval over the Department of Justice (DOJ) intervention post President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter.
The Department of Justice has usually played a critical role in the decision-making process for presidential pardons, typically conducting an internal review of such requests to streamline the process. However, in the case of Hunter Biden, who found himself amidst multiple controversies related to alleged domestic and international wrongdoings, the DOJ’s response invoked displeasure from both Biden and Trump.
President Biden’s decision to pardon his son was regarded as a controversial exercise of the presidential pardon power. Although Presidents have historically used this authority sparingly and under intense scrutiny, Biden’s mercy towards his son seemed to skyrocket the debate over its validity. Biden’s disappointment with the DOJ appeared centered on the perceived overreach into a dominantly Executive Branch function, namely, the substantial freedom and discretion to pardon federal crimes and offenses.
On the other hand, Trump’s criticism of DOJ’s interference stems from a somewhat different angle. As a staunch critic of Hunter Biden and his alleged activities, Trump has hitherto maintained that Hunter should have been held responsible. According to Trump, the unjust interference of DOJ into the President’s pardon exhibited the apparent partisanship within the department.
The transparency and integrity of the DOJ has been brought into question multiple times over the recent years. Both Biden and Trump’s differing perspective on the department’s role, however, has rekindled the discussion around its objectivity and impartiality.
This uncommon concurrence between Biden and Trump does manifest a pressing concern for the American political spectrum. Both leaders, despite being arch adversaries, found unison in their frustration toward the decision-making mechanism of the DOJ. While their reasons varied wildly, their shared displeasure indicates an underlying question surrounding the independence and effectiveness of the DOJ.
Presidential pardons, traditionally seen as a tool for mercy and justice, can become political talking points, as seen with the recent pardon of Hunter Biden. The subsequent intervention by the DOJ in this case has triggered a bipartisan critique of the agency, emphasizing the necessity for reevaluated checks and balances within our justice system.
Moreover, the rare alignment of Biden and Trump further underscores that the politics of pardoning is a complex landscape that transcends simple partisan lines. The issue provoked two leaders with distinct political lexicons to voice their discord, reflecting the depth of concern regarding the balance between presidential powers and DOJ’s integrity.
