BREAKING: President Biden Announces Major Pardon Sunday Night

Summary

Summary of "BREAKING: President Biden Announces Major Pardon Sunday Night" – The MeidasTouch Podcast

Release Date: December 2, 2024

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas dissect the significant and controversial announcement made by President Joe Biden: the pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, from two federal criminal prosecutions initiated by a Republican-appointed special counsel. This detailed analysis delves into the nuances of the pardon, the surrounding political implications, and the broader context of selective prosecution within American politics.

---

1. President Biden’s Pardon Announcement

Timestamp: [04:00 – 05:27]

President Biden made a groundbreaking decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, addressing the nation with a statement that underscores his grievances against what he perceives as politically motivated prosecutions.

• Key Points:
  • Commitment to Non-Interference: President Biden emphasized his initial promise to avoid interfering with the Justice Department's decisions. He stated, "From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department's decision making and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively and unfairly prosecuted" (00:50).
  • Allegations of Selective Prosecution: He accused political adversaries of targeting Hunter Biden without substantive aggravating factors, highlighting what he views as unprecedented charges based on minor infractions. "It's clear that Hunter was treated differently. The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election." (03:30)
  • Miscarriage of Justice: Biden expressed his belief that politics have tainted the justice system, leading to an unjust prosecution of his son. "I believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice." (04:00)

2. Hunter Biden’s Response

Timestamp: [05:27 – 07:37]

Hunter Biden responded to the allegations and the pardon, vehemently denying any wrongdoing and accusing Republicans of distorting facts to malign his reputation and that of his father.

• Notable Quotes:
  • "There is no fairness or decency in what these Republicans are doing. They have lied over and over about every aspect of my personal and professional life." (05:27)
  • "Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry, or hear what I have to say." (07:37)

3. Congressional Hearing Dynamics

Timestamp: [07:37 – 09:44]

The podcast delves into the intricacies of the congressional hearings involving Hunter Biden, highlighting the obstruction and selective transparency exhibited by Republican committee members.

• Discussion Highlights:
  • Resistance to Public Accountability: Alex Rodriguez pointed out the reluctance of committee members to hold public hearings, favoring private depositions instead. "Nobody over there wants to hear from the witness." (08:42)
  • Questioning Committee Leadership: Rodriguez questioned the chairman’s commitment to transparency, suggesting a disconnect between public statements and actual intentions. "The rule you made is that he can choose the rule. Those were your words." (09:31)

4. Selective Prosecution and Political Bias

Timestamp: [09:44 – 12:24]

The hosts argue that Hunter Biden's prosecution is a case of selective targeting, contrasting it with the lack of similar scrutiny faced by other political figures associated with the Biden administration.

• Key Points:
  • Double Standards in Prosecutions: Dan highlighted the absence of similar prosecutions against figures like Don Jr. and Jared Kushner, despite their own controversies. "MAGA Republicans weaponized Congress against President Biden and Biden's family." (10:30)
  • Examples of Favoritism: Instances such as Don Jr.'s luxury travel and Jared Kushner's undisclosed financial dealings were cited to illustrate perceived biases. "When Hunter Biden showed up at the MAGA Republican hearing in Congress... Republicans do not want an open process." (11:48)

5. Implications of the Pardon

Timestamp: [12:24 – End]

Concluding the episode, the hosts reflect on the broader implications of the pardon, considering its impact on public perception of the justice system and the intertwining of politics with legal processes.

• Final Thoughts:
  • Political Repercussions: The pardon is seen as a bold move against political adversaries, potentially setting a precedent for future political pardons.
  • Public Trust in Justice: The episode raises questions about the integrity of the justice system when high-profile figures are granted pardons, especially under contentious circumstances.

---

Notable Quotes:

• President Biden: "No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son." (04:00)
• Hunter Biden: "Their lies have become the false facts believed by too many people, no matter how many times it is debunked." (05:27)
• Alex Rodriguez: "Nobody over there wants to hear from the witness." (08:42)
• Dan: "MAGA Republicans weaponized Congress against President Biden and Biden's family." (10:30)

---

Conclusion

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast provides a thorough examination of President Biden's decision to pardon Hunter Biden, offering critical insights into the intersections of politics, justice, and media influence. The hosts present a narrative that suggests the pardon is a response to perceived political persecution, raising important questions about fairness and the potential for political bias within the American legal system. Through engaging brotherly discourse and incisive analysis, Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas deliver a nuanced perspective on a pivotal moment in contemporary politics.

---

For more in-depth discussions and updates, subscribe to The MeidasTouch Podcast and join the MeidasMighty community.

Transcript

[Jason Kelly]

This episode is brought to you by Lifelock. The holidays mean more travel, more shopping, more time online and more personal info in places that could expose you to identity theft. That's why LifeLock monitors millions of data points every second. If your identity is stolen, their US based restoration specialist will fix it, guaranteed or your money back. Get more holiday fun and less holiday worry with Lifelock. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit lifelock.com podcast.

[Alex Rodriguez]

Behind the Bright lights and adrenaline of pro sport is an equally exciting world of negotiations and deal making.

[Jason Kelly]

That's what we cover each week on our podcast the Deal.

[Alex Rodriguez]

I'm Alex Rodriguez, former baseball player turned business executive.

[Jason Kelly]

And I'm Jason Kelly, Chief correspondent for Bloomberg Originals. Over the next couple months we'll hear from all stars like Jay Williams.

[Alex Rodriguez]

I want to be an owner one day.

[Jason Kelly]

Billie Jean King, Learn the business and so many more. Listen to the deal on Spotify.

[Dan]

This is the sound of your ride home with dad after he caught you vaping. Awkward, isn't it? Most vapes contain seriously addictive levels of nicotine and disappointment. Know the real cost of vapes brought to you by the fda. President Biden has just announced that he will be pardoning his son Hunter Biden arising out of the two federal criminal prosecutions from a Republican appointed special counsel. Uh, let me read for you President Biden statement where he just announced moments ago that he will be pardoning his son Hunter Biden. Here's what it said Today I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department's decision making and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively and unfairly prosecuted without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser. People, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form. Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties are typically given non criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently. The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election. Then a carefully negotiated plea deal agreed to by the Department of Justice unraveled in the courtroom with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process. Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair, reasonable resolution of Hunter's cases. No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son. And that is wrong. There has been an effort to break Hunter, who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they've tried to break me and there's no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough. For my entire career, I have followed a simple principle. Just tell the American people the truth, they'll be fair minded. Here's the truth. I believe in the justice system. But as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice. And once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further. I hope Americans will understand why a father and a president would come to this decision and this follows President Biden previously stating that he was not inclined to issue a pardon for Hunter Biden. Now President Biden has issued a formal pardon to Hunter Biden on two federal criminal prosecution, one arising out of Hunter Biden checking a box that he was not under the influence of drugs in connection with the purchase of a firearm. A criminal prosecution that frankly has never been done before on anyone in a similar situation. The other for paying back his taxes late again, another prosecution that has never been done before. President Biden announcing that he is formally pardoning Hunter Biden. I'll remind you, when Hunter Biden showed up at the MAGA Republican hearing in Congress and he was prepared to testify, he just wanted to do it publicly. The MAGA Republicans refused to have a public hearing requesting that it be done via private deposition, which later occurred. This is when Hunter Biden approached the hearing and said let's do this in public. Remember this moment. Let's play this clip.

[Hunter Biden]

James Comer, Jim Jordan, Jason Smith and their colleagues have distorted the facts by cherry picking lines from a bank statement, manipulating texts I sent, editing the testimony of my friends and former business partners, and misstating personal information that was stolen from me. There is no fairness or decency in what these Republicans are doing. They have lied over and over about every aspect of my personal and professional life. So much so that their lies have become the false facts believed by too many people, no matter how many times it is debunked. They continue to insist that my father's support of Ukraine against Russia is the result of a non existent bribe. They displayed naked photos of me during an oversight hearing and they have taken the light of my dad's love. The light of my dad's love for me, presented it as darkness. They have no shame. These same committee chairmen have engaged in unprecedented political interference in what would have already been a five year investigation of me. Yet here I am, Mr. Chairman, taking up your offer. When you said we can bring these people in for depositions or committee hearings, whichever they choose. Well, I've chosen. I am here to testify at a public hearing today to answer any of the committee's legitimate questions. Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry, or hear what I have to say.

[Dan]

And I'm sure you may also remember where Democratic Congress member Jared Moskowitz asked his Republican colleagues to give a show of hands. Who wanted to hear from Hunter Biden right now during the hearing, where they simply wanted to engage in the performative mocking of Hunter Biden. Here, play this clip.

[Alex Rodriguez]

And the chairman gave the witness that option. Then the only folks that are afraid to hear from the witness with the American people watching are my friends on the other side of the aisle. I don't know if there's a proper motion, Mr. Chairman, but I'll make a motion. Let's vote. Let's take a vote. Who wants to hear from Hunter Right now, today? Anyone? Come on. Who wants to hear from Hunter? No one. So I'm a visual learner, and the visual is clear. Nobody over there wants to hear from the witness. Oh, there's one. Thank you.

[Hunter Biden]

Will you yield for a question?

[Alex Rodriguez]

I'm not there yet, but I will eventually. So there's no one, well, other than one or two that want to hear from the witness. So the majority of my colleagues over there, including the chairman, don't want to hear from the witness with the American people watching. So, Mr. Chairman, I just want to hear from you. Will you acknowledge that you invited the witness on television to choose whether he could come to a public hearing? And do you stand by your words or do you renege that invitation to the witness to answer the question?

[Dan]

I've said repeatedly after the deposition, Mr. Biden can come in front of a public hearing.

[Alex Rodriguez]

Mr. Chairman, I don't want to play the video. But that is not what you said on television multiple times. We have the quotes. We can put them up. You said the witness can choose between a deposition.

[Jared Moskowitz]

Listen, Mr. Moskowitz, Mr. Biden doesn't make the rules we make.

[Alex Rodriguez]

No, no, Mr. Chairman, you make the rules. And the rule you made is that he can choose the rule. Those were your. Those were your words. We're claiming.

[Dan]

I think it is also worth noting when we talk about Hunter Biden to contextualize things. While MAGA Republicans spent all their time attacking Hun, they did not go after people like Don Jr. Or Jared Kushner. Because the MAGA Republicans weaponized Congress against President Biden and Biden's family. Exactly what they accused Democrats of, when in fact, the United States Supreme Court justices appointed by Donald Trump ultimately gave Donald Trump absolute immunity. So here's an example of Don Jr. For example, recently bragging about his first class accommodations on his flight to Dubai and Oman, where the Trumps continue to rake in millions from foreign governments. But I guess to MAGA Republicans, no conflict of interest here. Here, play this clip.

[Jared Moskowitz]

Guys, I just did a day trip to Dubai and Oman. We have a project in Oman, projects in Dubai. Just checking in on the day job. Literally, I'm on the ground for 18 hours and I think I did 30 something hours of flying. But if you're gonna fly that much, this is a great way to do it. It I'm in first class on Emirates and this is sick. These beds lie down, go fully flat, the doors closed. You're in your entire enclosed cubbies. Pretty spectacular. Great food, more legroom than I can know what to do with. And like I said, the beds fly out flat and they even have mattresses to go on top of them. So if you're gonna do, if you're gonna do 18 hours on the ground, a day trip to the Middle east, this is the way to do it. Figured I had to share that one with you guys because I'm a reasonably spoiled individual and this is still pretty spectacular. Have a good one, guys.

[Dan]

And here is Jared Kushner at a recent event where he was invited to this to speak about his investments. When he was asked about the Saudis investing billions of dollars in his fund, Jared Kushner said, are we really even talking about this? This is really even a thing. Here, watch this.

[Jared Kushner]

As you said, lots and lots of private equity firms, other folks are trying to raise money from Saudi Arabia and are raising money from Saudi Arabia. Some, however, stopped after the Jamal Khashoggi murder. Some, some either gave money back or stopped at the time. You didn't really, you said you wanted to wait for the DNI report, for the kind of official report, for the State Department report before talking about it. You kind of only give very glancing mentions in your book to it. The DNI report came out a couple weeks after you left the White House. It says that MBS personally was responsible. Do you agree with the dni. Do you? Or do you believe that report? Are we really still doing this?

[Dan]

Dan?

[Jared Kushner]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Dan]

So. So let's go to this. Well, there's clearly a selective prosecution going after Hunter Biden for, quite literally, fractions of fractions of fractions of the corruption of Don Jr. And Jared Kushner. But there you have it. President Biden announcing the pardon moments ago of his son, Hunter Biden. Make sure you go to midasplus.com for more updates and please hit subscribe right now on this YouTube channel and let's get to 4 million subscribers. Thanks for watching. Love this video. Make sure you stay up to date on the latest breaking news and all things Midas by signing up to the Midas Touch newsletter@midas touch.com newsletter@&t customers Switching to T Mobile has never been easier. We'll pay off your existing phone and give you a new one free. All on America's largest 5G network. Visit t mobile.com carrier freedom to switch today pay off up to 600 via virtual prepaid MasterCard in 15 days. Free phone up to $830 via 24 monthly bill credits plus tax, qualifying port and trade and service on go 5G next and credit required. Contact us before canceling entire account to continue bill credits or credit stop and balance and required finance agreement is due.