Several House Democrats are again pushing for more restrictions on the president’s clemency powers following President Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. Representative Steve Cohen from Tennessee, who has proposed a constitutional amendment to limit presidential pardon powers in past congressional sessions, defended Biden’s decision but called on critics to join him in supporting reform.
Cohen stated, “The pardon power is meant to be a safeguard against injustice. I can see why President Biden felt this was a necessary action in this case.” He urged those who disapprove of the pardon to back the amendment he has introduced, which aims to eliminate pardons for the president, their family, administration officials, campaign staff, and individuals committing crimes at the president’s direction. He emphasized that these situations create unavoidable conflicts of interest.
This debate comes as several Democrats express concern over the impact of Biden’s broad pardon, fearing it may set a dangerous precedent for future administrations. A spokesperson for Representative Don Beyer from Virginia, who previously supported Cohen’s amendment, indicated that Beyer’s stance remains unchanged.
“If Republicans would reconsider their stance on the president’s pardon powers and support its reform, that would be a step in the right direction,” the spokesperson noted, reflecting on the possibility of future misuse, especially given Biden’s indications to pardon certain individuals involved in the January 6 events.
Some Democrats have indicated they are open to discussing limits on pardon powers. Representative Glenn Ivey from Maryland pointed out that while he supports examining the issue, he believes the focus should be on pardoning those serving time for minor offenses.
Cohen’s proposal has not gained traction among Republicans, who view the existing system as an integral part of the law. Representative Mike Ezell from Mississippi expressed skepticism about changing a framework that has been in place for centuries, emphasizing that differing party policies should not lead to drastic changes.
Others, like Representative Ralph Norman from South Carolina, warned that limiting pardon powers could lead to unintended consequences. Norman accused Biden of misusing his authority in this situation, saying, “We must be careful not to navigate down what could be a very slippery slope.”
As a result of the pardon, Hunter Biden is shielded from any potential legal troubles for actions taken between 2014 and December 2024, particularly as he faced serious charges that could have led to jail time. The president has defended his actions, claiming that his son faced unfair prosecution.
House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana criticized the pardon, calling it a “perversion of justice” and called for reforms to restore trust in the legal system, framing the current situation as an erosion of the rule of law.
