Staff ReportsBiden’s grand attempts at delivering mass pardons have been about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. The White House has been notably quiet about the fact that of the thousands he promised would be pardoned for simple marijuana possession, only 257 certificates of pardon have been issued as of December. That’s a far cry from the promised “thousands,” leading many to wonder if these proclamations were little more than wishful thinking or perhaps an exercise in political theater.
In a similar display, Biden recently introduced a program targeting veterans who were discharged due to their sexual preferences during a dark chapter of American history. The expectation was that this initiative would clear the records of countless veterans. Instead, the number of applicants amounted to a mere eight, six Air Force members and two from the Army. This lackluster turnout begs the question: were veterans just too busy with the burdens of life or have they seen the writing on the wall regarding the administration’s actual commitment?
I’ve kept quiet on this but enough, we now compensate folk who knowingly broke the law. If only they were as committed to McCloud and rectifying the pension debacle….still waiting! https://t.co/DO40g155ij
— Mark “Beaker” Bate (@BeakerBate) December 12, 2024
As Biden surveys the wreckage of his pardoning efforts, pressure is building from Democrats who believe he should capitalize on his remaining days in office to make good on his promises. This urgency reached new heights after Biden deftly (or perhaps clumsily) pardoned his son Hunter, who was facing some rather serious legal troubles. Critics, including former advisors, have weighed in, suggesting that this move not only betrayed his earlier claims of non-intervention but also raised more than a few eyebrows about the nature of justice under his reign.
The latest round of pardons saw Biden commuting the sentences of about 1,500 individuals who were released during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with 39 others convicted of nonviolent offenses. This marked what the White House touted as the largest single-day grant of clemency in modern history. However, the real question is whether these actions are substantive or merely a desperate attempt to bolster his legacy before the clock runs out.
Political analysts suggest that ramping up efforts to assist veterans could be a tactical move for Biden as he navigates the tumultuous waters of public opinion. Apparently, there’s a perception that granting blanket pardons for LGBTQ veterans would help ease some of the backlash surrounding Hunter’s pardon. Yet, the lack of applicants and the burdensome red tape point to an administration more focused on optics than actual reform, leaving all the feel-good sentiments on the cutting room floor in favor of hollow political posturing.
