Elected officials criticize some of Biden’s clemency, pardon decisions

Hunter Biden, his wife Melissa Cohen Biden and their son Beau are greeted as they arrive at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church in Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday. Ben Curtis/ap

President Joe Biden’s recent decision to grant clemency to nearly 1,500 Americans and pardon 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes has stirred controversy across the political spectrum. The move, announced last week, marks the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, criticized Biden’s commutation for former Judge Michael Conahan, who was convicted in 2011 for his role in the “kids for cash” scandal. Conahan and another judge were found guilty of accepting $2.8 million in illegal payments in exchange for sending juveniles to for-profit detention centers.

“I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This was not only a black eye on the community, the kids-for-cash scandal, but it also affected families in really deep and profound and sad ways. Some children took their lives because of this. Families were torn apart. There’s all kinds of mental health issues and anguish that came as a result of these corrupt judges deciding they wanted to make a buck off a kid’s back,” Shapiro said.

Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., expressed outrage on X over the commutation of Rita Crundwell, the former comptroller and treasurer of Dixon, Illinois. Crundwell was convicted in 2013 of embezzling $53.7 million from the city and was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison.

“Rita Crundwell was just granted clemency. This, after swindling Dixon, Illinois, residents out of $54 million over decades. She pleaded guilty, got the max sentence, but only served eight years. Her case remains the biggest municipal fraud case in U.S. history. Getting off scot-free today is such a load of BS,” Sorensen wrote.

Additionally, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., voiced concern over Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, calling it “kind of a dangerous” precedent. The pardon covers any crimes Hunter may have committed between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 1 of this year. Hunter Biden was convicted of lying on a gun purchase form and pleaded guilty to tax offenses.

According to Associated Press, Biden had previously issued 122 commutations and 21 pardons. He is the first president to issue categorical pardons for individuals convicted of simple marijuana use and possession, as well as for former LGBTQI+ service members convicted due to their sexual orientation.

Critics are also wary of potential future pardons. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., expressed opposition to preemptive pardons for members of the House panel that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, suggesting it could imply guilt. President-elect Donald Trump has stated that every member of the committee should face jail time.

Associated Press reported that Biden is considering pardons for individuals he believes could be targeted by the incoming Trump administration, including Dr. Anthony Fauci. The White House has not commented on these potential preemptive pardons.

Biden has promised further actions in the coming weeks.

Have a news tip? Contact Janae Bowens at [e-mail] or at x.com/JanaeBowens and Emma Withrow at [e-mail] or at x.com/emma_withrow.