Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina expressed his support for President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing federal tax and gun convictions. Clyburn, a key ally of Biden, endorsed him early in the 2020 Democratic primaries and emphasized that Hunter was unfairly targeted due to his father's position.
Clyburn disclosed that he had urged Biden to proceed with the pardon, highlighting the importance of a father's obligation to his children. Despite some Democrats being displeased with Biden's move, Clyburn stood by the decision, stating that he is 'absolutely OK' with it.
In addition to Hunter Biden, Clyburn suggested preemptive pardons for others, including Jack Smith and Liz Cheney, to shield them from potential targeting by individuals associated with President-elect Donald Trump. He emphasized the need to protect these individuals from undue scrutiny and legal challenges.
Responding to Sen. Joe Manchin's call for Biden to pardon Trump, Clyburn indicated his agreement with the sentiment. However, he noted that Trump's conviction was at the state level and therefore falls outside the scope of presidential pardon power. Clyburn underscored the potential implications on federal governance and expressed support for exploring avenues to mitigate such challenges.
Reflecting on the broader implications of preemptive pardons, Clyburn highlighted the importance of safeguarding individuals from unwarranted legal actions that could disrupt governmental functions. He echoed concerns raised by Manchin and emphasized the need to address potential impediments to federal operations.
