The Problem with Presidential Pardons

As I am sure most of you are aware, recently, President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter, for all charges past or pending. According to a release from the White House, Hunter Biden has received a “full and unconditional” pardon by Presidential decree for any crimes he “committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024.” 

For several reasons this pardon was a complete surprise, even from the Presidents most ardent supporters. Firstly because the President had said repeatedly that he would not pardon his son, or interfere with the judicial process. Secondly, this pardon is somewhat shocking because no President in the history of the country has forgiven such a close family member of such egregious offenses. Historically, Presidential pardons are for lesser crimes and normally not given to immediate family members, less the public righty accuse the Oval office of nepotism. Finally the nation was surprised by this because this action completely circumvents justice. While every parent of a wayward child can understand the President’s decision, it is still isn’t fair. 

It isn’t fair to the thousands of individuals sitting in prison whose daddy is not the President. It isn’t fair to the imprisoned multitudes who are guilty of far less serious offenses as serious Hunter Biden, but are still incarcerated. This action isn’t fair to the men and women of the Justice Department who spent countless hours and millions of tax-funded dollars pursuing a conviction against the President’s son. As the old saying goes, you can slice it anyway you want, and it just isn’t fair. 

And the American public has the right to be frustrated by this, regardless of your political affiliation. In fact, you should be angered that justice has not been served. Our exasperation should have nothing to do with the fact the President is a Democrat, but that justice has been completely set aside and has been done so by the highest office in our land. As much as I can sympathize with the parent of a prodigal son, this pardon was a national disgrace. 

You want to argue that Hunter was targeted or that he faced stiffer scrutiny because of who his father, maybe so? You think the investigations into his life were politically motivated? Perhaps they were. But Hunter himself doesn’t even deny the charges, both past and pending. The man is guilty, but he has been unconditionally pardoned, just because his father is President. 

Yes, Presidential pardons have long been a part of our democracy. Yes, there are times when it is fitting for a President to right wrongs done by an imperfect judicial system. But this pardon was simply unjust. Why should Hunter Biden get special treatment? Why is he free today, when others who have done far less, are still locked up in jail? The answer, injustice was served. Not justice, injustice. Familial favoritism circumvented the law.  

As if all that isn’t bad enough, we Christians are also being told that we ought to rejoice about this, rather than take issue with the pardon. I have seen numerous online arguments and articles suggesting that the President’s pardon is a perfect portrait of the Gospel, and as such, Evangelicals should relish in this. (Do an online search, and you will see what I am saying). The argument goes something like this: all of us are imperfect children (like Hunter) who have wondered away from home, and have been graciously pardoned even though we didn’t deserve forgiveness. But a loving Father has unconditionally pardoned us and we are now fully forgiven. 

While that is true, that does not rightly represent the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and let me tell you why. 

In the Gospel we learn that justice was not circumvented, instead justice was satisfied. In fact, 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Take note of that, God the Father made the Sinless Son to be sin for us sinners. Specifically, while on the cross Christ paid the sin debt, not that He owed to God, but that we owed to God. Yes, we are all imperfect children who have wandered away from God. And no, we do not deserve mercy and forgiveness. And yes, God has graciously forgiven all who trust in Him. But be sure, God didn’t accomplish that by sidestepping justice. Rather, He punished His Perfect Sinless Son in the stead of us sinful stubborn children. 

In the Gospel, justice is satisfied. Not set aside. Had President Biden said, my son is guilty, I know he is. So, I am going to leave the White House, pay his fines, and do his time – and then went and actually did that, then that would much be closer to the Gospel. But that is not what the President did. Instead, the President just swept his son’s sins under the Oval office rug thinking somehow that actually absolves him of guilt. When it doesn’t. Well, it may clear Hunter with the state or the feds, but it doesn’t absolve his sins before God. The problem with pardons that skirt justice is that it removes the law’s ability to reveal guilt. 

What we learn from the Gospel is that God freely, fully and unconditionally pardons undeserving sinners, but He does not do so at the expense of what is right and judicious. God is not unjust like fallen men. Rather, God in the person of His Son entered our world and lived the perfect life we choose not to live. And then suffered and died because of our transgressions. Jesus loved us so much that He willing came and paid the debt we owe. So that God can be just, and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26). 

That is the Gospel. Yes, we have been pardoned, but justice has been satisfied. I don’t know Hunter Biden’s spiritual condition, any more than I know yours. But if his sins are not pardoned by the Almighty, he still stands guilty before God and will give an account. And so will you friend, unless you find forgiving grace in the person and work of Christ Jesus.