A recent survey by Economist/YouGov shows that a plurality of Americans view President Joe Biden’s use of his presidential pardon powers as “inappropriate.” According to the survey, 46 percent of respondents believe Biden’s pardons and commutations have been inappropriate, compared to 28 percent who find them appropriate. Around 26 percent of those surveyed remain undecided.
The survey also highlights a stark partisan divide. A majority of Democrats, 55 percent, approve of Biden’s actions, while only 17 percent find them inappropriate. In contrast, 71 percent of Republicans deem Biden’s pardons inappropriate, and a plurality of independents, 48 percent, agree. Only 12 percent of Republicans and 19 percent of independents believe Biden’s pardons have been appropriate.
This survey comes on the heels of Biden’s controversial decision to grant pardons to 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes and commute the sentences of nearly 1,500 others—an action that the administration hailed as the “largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.”
In addition to these moves, Biden has faced significant backlash over his decision to grant clemency to 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row, despite public outcry and his condemnation of their crimes. In a December 23 statement, Biden justified his position, emphasizing his belief in the abolition of the federal death penalty and his personal commitment to ending its use.
However, the most contentious pardon remains that of his son, Hunter Biden. After years of denying the possibility, Biden pardoned his son in the final weeks of his presidency. This decision, which has drawn significant criticism, extends to Hunter’s role in a controversial board position with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Critics argue that the pardon is a clear example of favoritism, given Hunter Biden’s familial ties to the president.
In response to the criticism surrounding the pardon, President Biden defended his actions, stating that Hunter was targeted for prosecution due to his familial connections and that the attacks on his son were part of a broader political strategy aimed at damaging the Biden family.
The pardon has sparked debate on the ethical implications of using presidential clemency in politically sensitive cases, with many questioning the legitimacy of pardoning family members amidst ongoing legal challenges.
