Will Joe Biden's family get pardoned next?

In late 2023, Victor Davis Hanson, a historian and commentator, expressed his views on President Joe Biden's potential pardoning actions regarding his family during his podcast. Hanson conjectured that all family members of Biden could be next in line for clemency. He indicated that Biden had set criteria for pardons based on the benefits to the Biden family's associates. Recently, skepticism arose about Biden's commitment to not pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, following earlier pledges to the media. This raised questions about the legal ramifications surrounding Biden family finances, with particular scrutiny on transactions linked to Jim Biden and Hunter Biden’s alleged business dealings. Accusations concerning Hunter Biden involve questionable financial maneuvers. For instance, reports indicate that he received substantial payments from Chinese business associates and is accused of lying to Congress regarding these transactions. These concerns became increasingly relevant as investigative efforts explored both Hunter's income and Jim Biden's financial activities. Investigators had focused on Jim Biden because of a questionable payout of about $600,000 from a failed healthcare firm, Americore. The mounting legal complications suggest that pardons could serve as strategic advantages for the Biden family against looming inquiries. Hanson's prediction of forthcoming pardons implies that there may be an intent to shield family members from potential prosecution. He believes that in the final days of Biden's presidency, a series of wide-ranging pardons may be issued. This sentiment follows a broader pattern, as it has historically been seen that outgoing presidents utilize pardons to absolve their associates or family from criminal accountability, especially before leaving office. Given the political climate and existing investigations, the idea of such pardons not only sparks interest but raises ethical questions about the application of clemency. As a response to the political landscape, Biden previously decided to grant clemency to around 1,500 inmates placed in home confinement, which could be indicative of a wider strategy to promote leniency within the justice system. However, the potential pardoning of individual family members leads to serious discussions about accountability. Overall, the implications of possible pardons extend beyond Biden's immediate family; they raise questions about the integrity of the justice process and the extent of influence wielded by those in power.