Concerns about Hunter Biden’s Pardon Ring Hollow as Republicans Sidelined Congressman Cohen’s Constitutional Amendment that Would Have Limited Pardons

MEMPHIS - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee long concerned about the potential abuse of the presidential pardon power who has sought to amend the Constitution to protect against perceived conflicts of interest, today released the following statement:

"President Biden has lost one son and would do anything he could for his remaining son. I'm in no way surprised at this pardon since the father-son bond is so strong. It's also clear that Hunter Biden was targeted because he was the son of the President and held to account in ways similarly situated people would not have been. The pardon power is supposed to be a safety valve against injustice, and I understand why President Biden thought it appropriate in this instance.

"But to all those who find this pardon distasteful, I encourage you to cosponsor and support the constitutional amendment I have introduced in the last several Congresses to reform the pardon power. The measure would eliminate pardons for the President's self, the President's family, Administration officials and campaign staff, and those who commit crimes on behalf of, for the benefit of, or at the direction of the President -- all instances with inescapable perceptions of conflicts of interest. The amendment also clarifies that no pardon issued for a corrupt purpose - past, present, or future - is valid. The measure has never received a Republican cosponsor, though, with their new recognition of the issue, I sincerely hope that will change."

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