Recent polling reveals that only about 20% of Americans approve of President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, a move that contradicts his earlier promises not to use his pardon power for family benefit. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research report highlights widespread disapproval of the pardon, indicating that nearly half of respondents strongly or somewhat disapprove. This bipartisan backlash reflects a significant ideological divide within the electorate, aligning with the tensions observed in Washington, D.C., following the announcement.
Biden’s pardon comes after Hunter was convicted on gun and tax charges, drawing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Notably, the president previously maintained a firm stance against using presidential powers to favor relatives, even during the tumultuous political climate following Donald Trump’s election victory. This about-face raises questions regarding Biden’s commitment to transparency and fairness in governance, particularly regarding the influence of political adversaries on executive decisions.
In an effort to temper the fallout from the decision, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre indicated that the president grappled with the decision before ultimately choosing to proceed with the pardon due to the politicization of Hunter Biden’s cases. Jean-Pierre’s comments suggest that the administration is attempting to frame the pardon as a necessary response to external pressures rather than a self-serving act. This narrative, however, has not significantly swayed public opinion, as reflected in the polling data.
The survey indicates a split within the Democratic Party; approximately 40% of Democrats are in favor of the pardon, whereas 30% disapprove. Additionally, a substantial portion of respondents, about 25%, either did not have a clear opinion or lacked sufficient information to comment. This division may indicate a reluctance among some Democrats to fully endorse a decision that appears politically charged.
Conversely, the majority of Republicans and about half of independent voters express discontent with the pardon, further underscoring the polarized atmosphere surrounding Biden’s presidency. With a sample size of 1,251 adults, the poll provides insights into the broader electoral sentiment, revealing significant skepticism about the administration’s handling of sensitive legal and familial issues.
The implications of this poll are multifaceted, suggesting that Biden’s actions could have lasting effects on his approval ratings and the Democratic Party’s cohesion moving forward. With a margin of sampling error of ±3.7 percentage points, the results highlight the importance of public perception in shaping political narratives and potentially influencing future electoral outcomes. The controversy surrounding the pardon may contribute to ongoing debates about ethics and accountability in government, as Americans evaluate the implications of personal decisions made by their leaders.