President Biden’s approach to the presidential pardon power has been a perplexing one, viewed through the traditional lens of politics. The history of presidential pardons indicates a cycle of pardoning political associates and high-profile figures. Several past presidents, such as Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, have used their pardon power questionedly. But in their lame-duck phases, presidents tend to prefer to extend pardons to their financially well-built allies, while the common man is basis their mercy on the proximity to the Oval Office.
Despite coming into power following these troublesome trends, Biden’s alarming decision to pardon his son, Hunter, on gun and tax charges is indicative of a worrisomely familiar narrative. This decision singularly highlights the extent to which politics can breed a breed of presumed entitlement among the powerful. It is in such a scenario that we realize the limitations of the pardoning power and the urgent need for a revisit of its discharge.
Furthermore, Biden’s approach of wielding the power of the pardon to protect so-called ‘imaginary henchmen’ is not just unconvincing, but it’s also dangerously short-sighted. The recent Biden pardoning spree points to a flawed pattern. The president seems content with using the pardon power as protection for political associates, echoing actions of his predecessors. The demographic of those pardoned is conspicuously lacking in terms of diversity, reinforcing the notion of American power elite domination in politics.
From a strategic standpoint, one could argue that the act of pardoning might really be about politics rather than mercy, as it appears to disproportionately benefit those close to the centres of power. Yet, there is a disturbingly broad scope for abuse inherent in pardoning powers, especially given that Biden has committed to safeguarding his political allies against potential retaliation. Yoking the pardon power to political expediency claims is not a measure of success but a surefire recipe for the further discoloration of our democratic edifice.
In an absurd and regrettable turn of events, we also witnessed Biden pardoning enemies of the MAGA movement. If you thought partisan politics had a limit, Biden’s actions have shattered your belief. They aim to serve as shields against legal retribution leveled by the likes of Kash Patel, Trump’s FBI nominee, and Pam Bondi, a nominee for the Justice Department. The irony here is both glaring and appalling. These pardons make no immediate sense except an attempt to deflect any possible repercussions for their actions.
Unsurprisingly though, the repercussions will still unfold. The real danger doesn’t lie in the pardoning spree itself but the mindset it embodies. The act of pardoning political ratings only promotes a culture of impunity, bestowing an undeserved safety net to politically connected individuals while the common man bears the grimness of persecution. It’s a failure of Biden’s presidency—an unwillingness to earnestly foster an equal opportunity democracy.
The most controversial aspect of Biden’s dealings with the pardon power rests within his proposal to use it as a means to protect immigrants, particularly those undocumented. In an audacious move that would undeniably uproot the legal completions surrounding immigration, Biden is believed to be seeking a mass pardon for immigrants. This puzzling proposal is fraught with issues, including the question of its legality, as fervently pointed out by those in the legal community.
A mass pardon aimed at immigrants is not just legally convoluted, but it is also contrary to the principle of fair play. Presidential pardons, historically and legally, have been strictly limited to criminal offenses. Therefore, the process of translating this to deal with civil violations rising out of immigration issues is not only new but also fundamentally misdirected.
Despite this debacle, Biden’s initiatives have been met with various forms of criticism and rightfully so. The proposition to extend this extreme use of executive power to those with ‘unlawful presence’ in the country fails to address the bigger picture. The concept of blanket amnesty seems like a desperate attempt at political scoring, masking the broader and more urgent issues surrounding immigration.
It is fair to make the assessment that the Democratic party under Harris’s leadership has been lacking clarity and decisiveness. They appease major donors and propose regressive policies while failing to champion the cause of democracy and the interests of working Americans. This well-disguised lack of direction is a prime example of why they seem lost in the political wilderness.
In reality, the Biden administration’s strategy seems to struggle when it comes to effective communication, especially on the topic of immigration. Their nebulous, almost conflicting messages have left voters and citizens scrambled for comprehension. To say that their actions to date on immigration policy have been wanting would be putting it mildly.
The Democratic Party deserves to be called out on their imagined moral high ground, no more apparent than in their handling of immigration policies. Their contradictory conduct and policies, bordering on complacency rather than decisive action, leave little to be desired. Devoid of actual solutions, they resort to tactics that hardly address the root issues at play.
Biden’s presidency has been marked by bold promises and flashy stances, yet it’s his feeble actions that speak louder than his words. Any hope for progressive action regarding immigration seems to be dwindling. His seemingly impotent approach to tackling longstanding immigration issues further cements the Democrats’ fall from grace.
In conclusion, Biden’s methods with regards to the power of presidential pardons have been found largely wanting. Misused and misdirected, the pardon power, meant to serve as a last recourse of justice, has instead been tarnished in recent times. It has morphed into a tool granting immunity to political actors and creating an illusion of a solution to complex immigration issues.
Above all, the Democrats need to realize that a pardon isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to their woes. The country needs leaders who are bold, decisive, and selfless. Unfortunately, Biden and his administration seem to be faltering in this regard. The current state of American politics calls for comprehensive solutions, not politically expedient alliances masked as justice.