Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Biden’s pardon backlash

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On Politics

Tue Dec 3 2024

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

Hello! It's Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. Spotify Wrapped is expected to come out this week, and I'm excited to see which artists got me through this busy election year.

Biden faces backlash from Democrats for breaking promise by pardoning son

In his last few weeks as president, Joe Biden is drawing the ire of members of his own party after pardoning his son Hunter. Biden for more than a year promised he would not issue a pardon for his son, who was convicted on federal gun charges and tax charges. Some Democrats criticized the president for going back on his word and for further eroding trust in the justice system. Read more.

Another issue emerging: Biden bypassed the customary processing by the Justice Department's pardon office.

Biden's unusually broad pardon "was not processed via application" through the Justice Department's pardon office, as is customary , according to an email from the senior deputy pardon attorney who isn't named in court records. The pardon office has received, reviewed and investigated clemency applications for more than 130 years. Read more.

•	Which other presidents have pardoned relatives? Trump is on the list
•	Watch: Joe Biden is facing criticism for pardoning a family member — but he isn't the first

Biden poses with Angola President Joao Lourenco

Biden met with Angola President Joao Lourenco as he made his first visit to Africa as president to discuss a US-backed rail project and the legacy of slavery.

President Joe Biden and Angola President Joao Lourenco pose for a photograph ahead of their bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace in Luanda on Dec. 3, 2024.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

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Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.