Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) expressed his disappointment over President Joe Biden‘s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, earlier this week.
The president issued a sweeping pardon on Sunday for any alleged crimes committed by his son from 2014 through Dec. 1, 2024, walking back a vow not to issue the pardon after Hunter Biden was found guilty of multiple crimes earlier this year. Newsom has been a fierce defender of Biden throughout his presidency and his ill-fated reelection bid that ended in July, but he told Politico that he “can’t support” Biden’s decision in this case.
“With everything the president and his family have been through, I completely understand the instinct to protect Hunter,” Newsom told the outlet. “But I took the president at his word. So by definition, I’m disappointed and can’t support the decision.”
Newsom has been floated as a possible 2028 presidential candidate and has largely attached himself to Biden, touting the president’s accomplishments. He is one of the most high-profile Democratic officials to criticize Biden’s decision to pardon his son.
Another blue state governor, Gov. Jared Polis (D-CO), was one of the first Democrats to criticize the pardon after it was issued on Sunday evening.
“While as a father I certainly understand President Joe Biden’s natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country,” Polis said in a post on X Sunday. “This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation.”
“When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation. Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles while also acknowledging that no one is above the law, not a President and not a President’s son,” Polis added.
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Other Democrats who have bashed Biden’s pardon include Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), and Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO).
“President Biden’s decision put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans’ faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all,” Bennet said in a post on X Monday.