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Donald Trump and Joe Biden may not have much in common. But when it comes to their connections to high-profile prosecutions, they have sounded a similar tune – even in the face of outcry from opponents and some in their own parties.
In announcing a “full and unconditional” pardon for Hunter Biden on Sunday night, Joe Biden condemned what he characterised as an unfair prosecution of his son. “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,” Biden said.
The president’s criticisms of a politicised system of justice echoed those regularly lobbed by Trump – perhaps most conspicuously in the New York City case involving hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
The Hunter Biden cases and Trump hush-money case do have notable similarities – ones that have fuelled attacks on the judicial process.
Both were brought to court in 2024, years after the incidents in question. Both took sharp twists after it seemed they would not reach trial. Both involved applications of existing law in novel or unusual circumstances.
Differences aside, both Trump and the Bidens raised similar questions about whether politics unduly influenced their cases, even as Democrats insisted that the Trump trial was proper, and Republicans viewed the Hunter gun trial and tax evasion guilty plea as justice served.
Whether or not the indictments were an appropriate exercise of prosecutorial judgement, both Trump and Hunter Biden were convicted of their crimes. Due to his pardon, Hunter Biden will face no consequences for that. And as Trump prepares to head back to the White House, it appears increasingly likely that the nature of his high office will protect him from a sentence for his conviction.
Public perception of a double-standard for the wealthy and powerful may not be so off base.
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