As a father I understand. As a politician, I am appalled.

US President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter, who was about to go to prison after convictions on several serious charges. This came after repeatedly saying no-one is above the law and that there would be no pardon. After decades of honorable public service, this is a huge stain on the Biden legacy.

Yes, Donald Trump has pardoned family members in the past, but when you take Trump as your guide you aren’t setting the bar high enough. After all, Trump himself is a convicted felon.

As a father you want to protect your children at all times, even when they become adults. But wanting and doing are different things.

Hunter Biden is an adult. There is no doubt he committed the crimes. Mistakes happen, but by the time you are 54 you should understand that actions have consequences.

Joe Biden now says the prosecution of Hunter was politically motivated. He’s probably right. Politicians and their families are a juicy target for prosecutors looking to make a name for themselves. Someone else might not face jail time for the same crimes.

Which us why politicians and their families need to make sure they don’t break the law. The prosecution of Hunter Biden may have been politically motivated, but the outcome was not. He did the crimes, he should do the time.
.
Trump, of course, thinks jail time is appropriate for his political opponents, but not his allies. I am convinced that on January 20 he will pardon all those convicted of crimes in the January 6, 2021 insurrection in Washington. That was worse than anything Hunter Biden may have done. Yes people died in the attack, but as far as Trump is concerned, the rioters were righteous, trying to overturn a stolen election. Their ends justify their means, even though there was no evidence the election was stolen.

In pardoning his son, Joe Biden has lessened the amount if outrage that would have accompanied Trump’s pardons. If there is no difference in the actions of the good guys and the bad guys, what does it matter?

And that should sadden us all