Following President Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter, NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd shared a deeply personal and critical perspective on the president's actions. In a conversation with Chris Cillizza on Cillizza's Substack, Todd expressed certainty that Biden would pardon Hunter, who faced sentencing in two criminal cases. Todd suggested that the president's actions stem from unresolved grief over the death of his other son, Beau, and a complex relationship with Hunter.
Todd stated, "Joe Biden...needs therapy, and I say this with respect. He has not processed Beau's death. He has an issue—he cannot, he has this issue with Hunter. He second-guesses everything he's done with raising Hunter versus raising Beau. He, I think, blames himself for Hunter's inability to conduct himself as an adult for a period of time." Beau Biden passed away in 2015 after battling brain cancer.
Having a personal connection with both Biden sons, Todd asserted that Hunter has "sort of failed at being a human being" in recent years. He characterized the pardon as a "dad reaction," driven by Biden's desire to protect his son. Todd further speculated that Biden aimed to preempt any potential "humiliation" of Hunter receiving a pardon from President-elect Donald Trump.
Todd concluded his analysis with a pointed statement, claiming President Biden is "emotionally incapable" of holding the presidency and "probably never should have run." Hunter Biden released a statement expressing gratitude for his father's clemency and pledging to dedicate himself to helping others struggling with addiction. The 54-year-old faced a series of legal challenges throughout the year, including a trial in Delaware for firearm offenses and a guilty plea in a separate tax case. President Biden's pardon contradicted his earlier statements to the media, where he asserted he would not pardon his son.
