There is a HUGE difference between pardoning Hunter and pardoning others on Trump's enemies list. Hunter has been convicted and investigated to death already. Comer came up with nothing. Weiss has been investigating and prosecuting Hunter Biden since 2018 and all serious analysis of the prosecutions conclude that Hunter was treated as much or more aggressively and unfairly as anyone else who committed the crimes he did. More importantly, after all the investigation, no viable charges have surfaced let alone been brought.
This must be contrasted with others on Trump's enemies list. They have not been accused of any crime or even criminally investigated that we know of. Andrew is right that they should not be subjected to abuse by the justice system. However, they won't be convicted unless they actually are guilty of something because there are still enough checks in the system. But President Biden preemptively pardoning them not only deprives these good people the opportunity of being able to clear their names by dismissal or acquittal of bogus charges, it allows Trump and MAGA world to scream "SEE THEY WERE GUILTY" forever. Trump gets his vengeance without even firing a bogus shot.
Everyone knows from what Hunter is being pardoned. Pardoning others on the enemies list would allow Trump and his cronies falsely to define them as criminals. This is wrong.
Disagree. MAGA will define Cheney and Milley and Hutchinson and McCabe and Harris as criminals with or without pardons. WITH, they have some protection. Nothing is stopping Biden from making a very candid statement about WHY he is issuing the pardons. (He owes us that candor, after omitting it from his statement re: Hunter's pardon.)
In a normal world sure, but subjecting these people to prosecution and investigation is the punishment, years of their lives, their money, professional lives, all damaged.
Yes of course it's MAGA's point. But they already have suffered death threats and other upheaval and costs. And it will continue whether pardoned or not, and pardoning might even make it worse. Just an educated guess, but if these honorable people were asked, they very well would refuse a get out of jail free card and stand on their record and character. I know that I would want that to be my legacy whatever the costs rather than being unfairly smeared for eternity.
There is a HUGE difference between pardoning Hunter and pardoning others on Trump's enemies list. Hunter has been convicted and investigated to death already. Comer came up with nothing. Weiss has been investigating and prosecuting Hunter Biden since 2018 and all serious analysis of the prosecutions conclude that Hunter was treated as much or more aggressively and unfairly as anyone else who committed the crimes he did. More importantly, after all the investigation, no viable charges have surfaced let alone been brought.
This must be contrasted with others on Trump's enemies list. They have not been accused of any crime or even criminally investigated that we know of. Andrew is right that they should not be subjected to abuse by the justice system. However, they won't be convicted unless they actually are guilty of something because there are still enough checks in the system. But President Biden preemptively pardoning them not only deprives these good people the opportunity of being able to clear their names by dismissal or acquittal of bogus charges, it allows Trump and MAGA world to scream "SEE THEY WERE GUILTY" forever. Trump gets his vengeance without even firing a bogus shot.
Everyone knows from what Hunter is being pardoned. Pardoning others on the enemies list would allow Trump and his cronies falsely to define them as criminals. This is wrong.
Disagree. MAGA will define Cheney and Milley and Hutchinson and McCabe and Harris as criminals with or without pardons. WITH, they have some protection. Nothing is stopping Biden from making a very candid statement about WHY he is issuing the pardons. (He owes us that candor, after omitting it from his statement re: Hunter's pardon.)
In a normal world sure, but subjecting these people to prosecution and investigation is the punishment, years of their lives, their money, professional lives, all damaged.
True. MAGA knows they're not guilty of anything, the upheaval and cost to them is the point.
Yes of course it's MAGA's point. But they already have suffered death threats and other upheaval and costs. And it will continue whether pardoned or not, and pardoning might even make it worse. Just an educated guess, but if these honorable people were asked, they very well would refuse a get out of jail free card and stand on their record and character. I know that I would want that to be my legacy whatever the costs rather than being unfairly smeared for eternity.
Navalny stuck to his guns and Trump's daddy had him executed. Let's protect the good people physically, then worry about legacy.