Representative Image. Themis Figurine at Lawyers Office. Photo Source: Pavel Danilyuk

Govind Tekale

Joe Biden’s Pardon Of Hunter: Historic, Controversial, And Legally Sweeping Like Nixon’s And Pandit’s Notable Clemency Cases

Donald Trump, Joe Biden

Crime, punishment and pardon are associated with advancement of civilization. When Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter for his tax evasion and having a gun without a valid license. Biden has so far shown mercy on 26 cases of different kinds. Earlier Trump has pardoned his son-in-law’s father. Bill Clinton had done so regarding his brother. So there is nothing illegal about Biden’s action. 

In India, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, the sister of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, has pardoned Commander Nanavati for his offence of killing Prem Ahuja, who had an illicit affair with the Commander’s wife. Pandit was then Governor of Maharashtra. At that time this was a sensational case. Nanavati and his wife migrated to Canada later. 

The origin of pardons goes back to kings and queens of old days. In olden times the emperors used to pardon prisoners on their birthdays. Now of course, one can pardon at any time. 


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The philosophical roots of pardon are deep and powerful. Forgiveness is one of the cardinal principles of all religions. It requires courage to show mercy on somebody who has wronged you. The issue is not innocence. It’s the understanding that allows all concerned to begin again. 

Gerald Ford’s pardoning of Richard Nixon in his Watergate case and Jimmy Carter’s showing mercy on the Vietnam draft evaders are best examples of political and legal aid for affected persons. Since its democratic reforms of 1987, South Korea has seen as many as four presidents pardoned. Now there is a call for impeachment of S Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for declaring martial law in that country. 

In the 16th century, Erasmus found himself tormented by the Papacy flogging ‘forged pardons for real sins.’ Gandhiji used to stress the importance of forgiveness during his prayer meetings. It’s the virtue of brave and not timid persons. 

Pardon survives as an act of grace, despite all the taints put on it by the powerful down history. In short, Biden’s pardoning of his son Hunter is continuation of historical tradition. After all, the idea of mercy will never lose all its human, political and public purpose. That is why Chaucer in his Canterbury Tales says: “By this trick have I won, year after year, a hundred marks since I was pardoner.”

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