Some frustrated Democrats are reportedly considering withholding donations for President Joe Biden’s future presidential library following his controversial pardon of Hunter Biden.
This comes after the president’s unexpected decision to pardon his son just ahead of Hunter’s sentencing on Sunday, despite having previously stated he had no plans to do so.
An anonymous Democrat expressed dissatisfaction: “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.” They added that it might be too late to recover and hoped that expectations and budgets would be “rightsized” in response. However, a person close to Biden’s planning denied any concerns from donors, stating that work on the library was progressing as planned.
Biden’s presidential library is expected to be built in Delaware and will be led by his deputy chief of staff, Annie Tomasini, and first lady Jill Biden’s aide, Anthony Bernal.
Despite these ongoing efforts, some Democrats, including lawmakers, have voiced frustration with the timing and implications of the pardon.
Democratic lawmakers, while understanding Biden’s decision as a father, said the move undermined their stance on the rule of law. “President Biden’s decision put personal interest ahead of duty,” said Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), noting that it eroded faith in the justice system. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) also criticised the pardon, calling it a deviation from the rule of law.
The timing of the pardon frustrated many, as it could have been delayed until closer to Donald Trump’s inauguration. Prominent Democratic governors, such as Jared Polis of Colorado and Gavin Newsom of California, voiced their disappointment with the decision. Polis called it a “bad precedent,” while Newsom acknowledged his understanding of Biden’s instincts but expressed disappointment, citing Biden’s earlier stance.
Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) defended the pardon, stating that he had urged Biden to make the decision, which he fully supported.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates defended Biden’s legacy, touting the president’s ongoing accomplishments, including significant action on climate change, Medicare reforms, and infrastructure. However, despite the criticism, a source familiar with Biden’s post-presidency planning maintained that donor conversations regarding the library were unaffected and that work continued without issue.
