White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned why Joe Biden reversed himself and gave a pardon to his son Hunter after insisting over and over that he would let the process be handled within the justice system. Of course, there is no real justification. However, KJP needs to lay the foundation for future “preemptive pardons” before Biden leaves office.
While working the latest narrative about how Joe Biden wrestled with the decision over time, one name kept coming up that supposedly was urging a reluctant Joe Biden to go ahead with the idea of a preemptive pardon. That name was Jim Clyburn, House rep from South Carolina’s 6th congressional district.
The 6th district has not benefitted much from Jim Clyburn’s ascendency in national politics. Clyburn’s district ranks 431st in median income. Despite this Clyburn has successfully convinced the voters in the 6th that he is the one best to oversee the plantation that they find themselves on.
Why would Clyburn have an interest in the subject of preemptive pardons? While pardons have been part of American presidencies, preemptive pardons have been a rare event in American politics. Yes, Gerald Ford did issue one for Richard Nixon after he resigned the Presidency. In that case Ford stated he was trying to heal the wounds caused by Watergate. That pardon probably cemented the idea that Nixon was guilty of something.
Joe Biden pardoning his son was not unexpected. Hunter’s legal troubles are well known. However, the narrative being spun is that some people on the left need to be protected from the ravages of the incoming administration. It is claimed that this administration will be fascist and dictatorial. The incoming administration will weaponize the DOJ against its enemies. Therefore, preemptive pardons are needed to protect people.
Why is Jim Clyburn leaning into the subject of preemptive pardons? Sundance notes:
It is transparently obvious why Jim Clyburn would be seeking a preemptive pardon from Joe Biden. Clyburn is singularly the most exposed political figure if anyone starts looking at how the election system ballot operation was used in 2020, 2022 and 2024. Clyburn knows his risk exposure.
At the end of all the ballot and election fraud, you find one operation above all others.
Let’s be reminded that the Supreme Court in Burdick v. United States, ruled that a pardon becomes effective only if it is accepted….. a pardon “carries an imputation of guilt; acceptance a confession of it.”
This aspect of pardons needs to be spread far and wide. Let’s make it as difficult as possible for well-known political figures to hide behind the idea of preemptive pardons. Also be reminded that Presidential pardons only cover federal crimes. There is no extension to state crimes.