Morning Wire Podcast Summary
Episode: Biden’s Unprecedented Pardon | Saturday Extra
Release Date: December 7, 2024
Hosts: John Bickley and Georgia Howe
Guest: Eric Eggers, Vice President at the Government Accountability Institute and Co-Host of the Drill Down Podcast

Introduction

In this episode of Morning Wire, presented by The Daily Wire, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe delve into President Joe Biden's surprising decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. This unprecedented move has sparked significant controversy and raised questions about potential implications for ongoing investigations into the Biden family's dealings.

Biden’s Sweeping Pardon: Scope and Details

John Bickley opens the discussion by highlighting the unexpected nature of President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. Contrary to previous assurances from the White House that Hunter would not receive a pardon, President Biden issued a comprehensive pardon covering any federal crimes Hunter may have committed over the past decade.

Key Points:

• Scope of the Pardon: The pardon extends immunity from any federal charges Hunter Biden may face, far beyond the specific charges of tax evasion and gun purchases that were publicly known.

• Implications for Future Prosecutions: Eric Eggers emphasizes that the pardon not only shields Hunter from known charges but also from "any allegations of which there are many, that he has been an unwitting or witting foreign agent" (01:36).

Notable Quote:

“What Joe Biden has effectively done is given his son a full pardon for any allegations of which there are many, that he has been an unwitting or witting foreign agent.”
— Eric Eggers (01:36)

Impact on Biden Family Corruption Investigations

The conversation shifts to the broader context of ongoing investigations into the Biden family, particularly focusing on potential corruption and profiteering by Joe Biden and other family members.

Key Points:

• House Oversight Investigation: Led by Representative Comer, the committee has been assembling evidence through whistleblower testimonies, tax records, and bank records, which may implicate not just Hunter but also Joe Biden.

• Removal of Legal Pressure: The pardon removes a critical leverage point that federal authorities might have used to implicate President Biden, thereby potentially hindering the investigation (02:35).

• Potential for Broader Implications: Eggers suggests that this could be the first of multiple pardons within the Biden family, raising concerns about systemic safeguards against political manipulation of the pardon power.

Notable Quote:

“By giving Hunter Biden a full pardon, what Joe Biden effectively sets up is the removal of any pressure or leverage they might have used… to try to implicate Joe Biden.”
— Eric Eggers (02:35)

Legal and Procedural Ramifications

John Bickley probes into the legal maneuvers surrounding Hunter Biden's case, particularly the problematic plea deal that initially appeared to resolve his charges.

Key Points:

• Failed Plea Deal: The proposed plea deal was undermined by a judge's assertion of lack of jurisdiction, leading to significant legal contention (06:28).

• Political Influence and Department of Justice: Eggers argues that Department of Justice and FBI officials may have attempted to manipulate outcomes, including pressuring Big Tech to censor damaging stories about Hunter Biden's laptop during the 2020 election cycle.

• Presidential Authority and Precedent: The pardon is characterized as the "biggest pardon in American history" by legal analysis, setting a concerning precedent for executive overreach and political favoritism.

Notable Quote:

“What this would be the latest… some would argue that the 2020 election, Joe Biden wouldn’t even been in position to be president to then pardon Hunter, had it not been for the work of Department of Justice officials and FBI officials telling Big Tech to censor any story about Hunter Biden's laptop.”
— Eric Eggers (06:28)

Responses and Repercussions within the Democratic Party

The episode explores the internal and external reactions to the pardon, particularly the disappointment expressed by some Democrats and the potential political fallout.

Key Points:

• Democratic Disappointment: Some Democrats are shocked by the pardon, fearing it undermines integrity and fueling narratives that could be used against them.

• Impact on Trump's Pardoning Authority: The move by President Biden is seen as potentially giving former President Trump greater latitude to issue pardons, including controversial ones related to January 6th defendants, thereby complicating Democratic critiques of Trump’s use of presidential pardon powers.

• Erosion of Trust and Credibility: Eggers contends that Biden’s actions erode his credibility as a defender of democratic norms and unfairly damage the Democratic stance on protecting democracy from perceived Republican overreach.

Notable Quote:

“What Joe Biden has done, unfortunately, is erode any semblance of credibility he might have had that he was, quote, unquote, adult in the room… because he clearly did not do that.”
— Eric Eggers (09:37)

Conclusion and Future Outlook

John Bickley wraps up the discussion by highlighting the irreversible damage to President Biden’s political capital and the potential for ongoing and future investigations into the Biden family’s activities. The episode underscores the significance of the pardon in reshaping political dynamics and judicial accountability.

Notable Quote:

“Sure seems like political capital permanently lost here.”
— John Bickley (09:37)

Final Thoughts

This episode of Morning Wire provides a comprehensive analysis of President Biden's unprecedented pardon of Hunter Biden, examining its legal, political, and ethical implications. Guest Eric Eggers offers critical insights into how this move could impact ongoing investigations and the broader landscape of American politics, highlighting concerns about executive overreach and the erosion of trust in governmental institutions.

This summary aims to capture the essence of the episode for those who haven’t listened, providing a detailed overview of the key discussions and expert opinions presented.