Pod Save America – Episode: The Old Man and the Clemency
Release Date: December 3, 2024

Hosts: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor

Overview

In this episode of Pod Save America, the hosts delve into the contentious political landscape surrounding President Joe Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. They critically examine former President Donald Trump's nominations of Cash Patel for FBI Director and Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, highlighting significant concerns about their qualifications and potential impacts on U.S. governance. Additionally, the episode explores Bernie Sanders' unexpected alliance with billionaire Elon Musk, particularly in the context of defense spending reform. The hosts strategize on how Democrats can effectively respond to these high-stakes political maneuvers.

Joe Biden's Pardoning of Hunter Biden

The episode begins with a deep dive into President Joe Biden's controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted on federal tax charges and lying about his drug addiction.

Jon Favreau [05:49]:
"President Biden has decided to issue a full and unconditional pardon for his son Hunter, covering a decade of offenses."

Tommy Vietor [05:49]:
"Joe Biden made it worse for himself by breaking his campaign promise, damaging his reputation in the process."

The hosts express frustration over Biden's prior assurances during his campaign that he would not use his pardon power for family members. They discuss the implications of this move, suggesting it undermines trust in political norms and fuels cynicism regarding the rule of law.

Jon Lovett [08:50]:
"I would have liked some acknowledgement that this is because he's worried about future abuses of power."

The timing and breadth of the pardon are scrutinized, with the hosts emphasizing how it contrasts sharply with Biden's earlier stance on maintaining the integrity of presidential pardons.

Trump's Nomination of Cash Patel as FBI Director

Transitioning to former President Donald Trump's nomination of Cash Patel for FBI Director, the hosts express significant concern over Patel's qualifications and suitability for the role.

Jon Lovett [27:00]:
"It's tough... Patel gets to be the worst one."

Tommy Vietor [29:00]:
"He's absolutely unqualified for this job. He's untrustworthy and a disgrace to American citizens."

Patel's background as a Trump loyalist and his involvement in the classified documents investigation are highlighted. The discussion underscores Patel's lack of experience within the FBI and his problematic past, including allegations of fabricating information critical to national security operations.

Jon Favreau [30:45]:
"Or the hostage gets shot at because they had to abandon the mission."

The hosts paint a picture of Patel as a figure who prioritizes allegiance to Trump over the integrity and effectiveness required for leading the FBI, raising alarms about national security implications.

Trump's Nomination of Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary

The conversation shifts to Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, who faces serious allegations regarding his conduct and leadership capabilities.

Tommy Vietor [35:02]:
"You are an abuser of women... your mother wrote an email calling you that."

Jon Lovett [36:38]:
"Putting this dude who can't run that organization in charge of the Department of Defense seems bad."

Hegseth's tenure at veterans organizations is critiqued for fostering a culture of sexual misconduct and mismanagement. The hosts discuss how these personal failings and lack of relevant experience make him an unsuitable candidate for overseeing the Department of Defense, which manages a vast workforce and substantial budget.

Democratic Strategy Against Trump's Nominees

The hosts strategize on how Democrats should respond to Trump's problematic nominations, emphasizing the need for a targeted and informed approach.

Tommy Vietor [45:03]:
"They care about people being full of shit. They care about corruption."

Jon Favreau [47:10]:
"It's about how this would affect people... their lack of qualifications is going to hurt you by having them there."

The consensus is that Democrats must publicize the dangers these nominees pose to national institutions and frame their opposition around national security and effective governance rather than personal attacks. The importance of mobilizing public opinion and leveraging media to highlight the risks is stressed as crucial for blocking these confirmations.

Bernie Sanders and Elon Musk Collaboration

An unexpected twist in the episode is Bernie Sanders' collaboration with billionaire Elon Musk on defense spending reform, raising questions about ideological alignment and potential compromises.

Tommy Vietor [49:47]:
"Democrats have long wanted to cut the Pentagon budget as they should."

The hosts ponder the implications of this alliance, questioning whether it dilutes Sanders' principles or enhances the Democratic agenda by aligning with influential figures to push for meaningful reforms. They advocate for Democrats to maintain their reformist stance while holding both allies and opponents accountable.

Jon Favreau [51:19]:
"We should put forward a list of waste, fraud, and abuse in government and present it to all of them, see if they do it."

Notable Quotes

• Jon Lovett [07:21]:
  "Hunter's pardon is expansive here. It covers… goes back a decade."

• Tommy Vietor [12:11]:
  "If you go by the UCMJ, these are big deals."

• Jon Favreau [15:19]:
  "They've put our health and lives in danger and our security."

• Tommy Vietor [45:03]:
  "They care about people being full of shit. They care about corruption."

• Jon Favreau [47:10]:
  "It's about how this would affect people... their lack of qualifications is going to hurt you by having them there."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a call to action for listeners to stay informed and engaged in the political process. The hosts emphasize the importance of opposing unqualified and dangerous nominees to protect national institutions and uphold democratic norms. They encourage active participation in public discourse to ensure accountability and the integrity of the U.S. government.

This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the Pod Save America episode "The Old Man and the Clemency." Notable quotes are included with speaker attribution and timestamps to provide depth and context for those who haven't listened to the episode.