In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, has sparked a wave of discontent among senior Democrats, some of whom are now threatening to withhold funding for Biden's presidential library.
This unexpected development, as reported by Axios, comes in the wake of Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, a move that has left many donors feeling disillusioned.
According to The Independent, the pardon, coupled with Biden's abrupt exit from the upcoming election, has created a potential financial hurdle for the construction of his presidential library, a long-standing tradition for outgoing Presidents. An anonymous Democrat source expressed frustration at the lack of foresight, stating, "If they had their s*** together, they would have been doing the work on this over the summer right after he announced he was stepping aside. Now, its just too late. Hopefully, they are rightsizing their expectations and budget."
Presidential libraries, a network of archives maintained by the National Archives, house records and historical collections that encapsulate a President's tenure. These institutions are typically funded by private donors and non-profit organizations. However, Biden's controversial decision to pardon his son, who was convicted on three federal gun-related charges and nine federal tax-related charges this year, has sparked intense backlash from both Democrats and Republicans.
Prominent Democrats including Senator-elect Adam Schiff, Governor Jared Polis, Senator Michael Bennet, and Representative Greg Stanton have all publicly expressed their disapproval of the pardon, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent. A YouGov snap poll revealed that over half of U.S. adults disapproved of Biden's decision.
For some, the pardon is the final straw following a year of mounting frustrations with the President. His lackluster debate performance, initial refusal to withdraw from the election, and noticeable retreat from the public eye have strained relationships within his party.
However, not all Democrats are opposed to Biden's decision. Approximately 64 percent of Democrats approved of the pardon, according to the YouGov poll. Former President Bill Clinton, Representatives James Cylburn, Hakeem Jeffries, Eric Swalwell, and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi have all voiced their support for the President's decision.
In response to the backlash, a White House spokesperson highlighted Biden's accomplishments, including his efforts in lowering drug costs, combating climate change, leading the U.S. out of the pandemic, passing the largest infrastructure package in 70 years, and advocating for gun reform. The spokesperson stated, President Biden continues to deliver historic progress every day, and his legacy will benefit the American people for generations.
Despite the controversy surrounding the pardon, a source familiar with Biden's post-presidency planning assured The Independent that the issue has not been raised in any donor conversations and that "work is well underway."
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