Senator Joe Manchin has stirred the pot yet again, this time calling on President Joe Biden to pardon President-elect Donald Trump. His reasoning? If Biden can sweep Hunter Biden’s legal troubles under the rug, why not extend the same courtesy to Trump? Manchin, who recently left the Democratic Party to become an independent, argued that such a move would create a sense of “balance,” though it’s hard to ignore the sheer irony of the situation.
Manchin’s comments follow Biden’s decision to issue a sweeping pardon for his son, Hunter, covering an entire decade’s worth of potential legal woes. This pardon conveniently wipes out any consequences for Hunter’s federal tax crimes and gun charges, a move Biden justified by claiming his son had been “selectively and unfairly prosecuted.” Critics, however, see it as anything but noble, with even Democrats calling it an abuse of power. Manchin suggested that extending a pardon to Trump would not only even the playing field but also allow the incoming administration to focus on governance rather than legal battles.
Trump, who has repeatedly claimed that the mountain of charges against him is politically motivated, would certainly have plenty to gain from such a pardon. The former president faces allegations ranging from mishandling classified documents to interfering in the 2020 election. However, with special counsel Jack Smith recently dropping the federal cases, the legal landscape for Trump has shifted. Manchin argued that clearing Trump’s slate entirely would free up the next administration to focus on actual policy rather than an endless parade of courtroom drama.
Manchin didn’t hold back on Biden’s decision to pardon his son, noting that it has complicated the president’s legacy. After two years of the White House insisting Hunter wouldn’t get special treatment, the sweeping pardon has left many questioning Biden’s credibility. Several Democratic senators have joined the chorus of criticism, with some describing the pardon as an improper use of presidential power that undermines public trust in government. Even Biden loyalists are struggling to defend a move that many see as prioritizing personal interest over justice.
Meanwhile, the political fallout continues to grow, with Democrats worried that Biden’s actions will backfire when Trump assumes office. Some have pointed out the obvious: Hunter Biden committed crimes and was convicted in court, making claims of political targeting a harder sell. As Manchin pushes for a Trump pardon to “clean the slate,” his comments highlight the precarious position Biden has put his party in—trying to reconcile a narrative of fairness and accountability while shielding his own son from the very consequences others are expected to face. Whether Biden will take Manchin’s advice remains to be seen, but the idea has certainly added fuel to an already raging political firestorm.
