Former White House Director of Strategic Communications Alyssa Farah Griffin expressed strong disapproval of President Biden's last-minute pardons for his family members, suggesting it could tarnish his presidential legacy. Griffin questioned the decision, drawing parallels to a sinking ship scenario where only family members are offered life rafts. She voiced concern that this action sets a risky precedent, potentially enabling future administrations to circumvent legal consequences for unlawful behavior.
Biden's pardons encompassed James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens, and Francis Biden. The former president's justification was that his family might face politically driven investigations post-presidency. This move drew criticism from various media outlets.
Griffin also drew a comparison to former President Trump's pardons of individuals involved in the January 6th events. She argued that Biden's actions could embolden future presidents to pardon family and staff preemptively for potential wrongdoings. Biden also issued preemptive pardons to other figures, including Liz Cheney, General Mark Milley, and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Co-host Ana Navarro countered Griffin's perspective, asserting that comparing Biden's pardons to Trump's was illogical. Navarro argued that Biden's family and those he pardoned, unlike those pardoned by Trump, had not committed crimes, and Biden's intention was to shield them from protracted legal battles with the government.
Sunny Hostin, another co-host, expressed understanding for Biden's actions, characterizing Trump as vindictive and suggesting that protecting one's family is a natural inclination. She called for empathy towards Biden's decision.
The article also mentions prior criticism directed at Biden for pardoning his son, Hunter, after previously stating he wouldn't. Biden defended this action by claiming Hunter was unfairly targeted due to his family name.
