What do Americans think of Joe Biden pardoning his son? Here's what a new poll found

Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald on Dec 4, 2024

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden was deeply unpopular, new polling reveals. However, a pardon granted by his predecessor — and now-successor — was just as disliked.

In a recent YouGov poll, 50% of respondents said they strongly or somewhat disapproved of Biden granting clemency to his son. A much smaller share, 34%, strongly or somewhat approved, while 16% were not sure.

The responses were divided along partisan lines, with 64% of Democrats saying they approved, with just 25% of independents and 13% of Republicans saying the same.

The poll, which sampled 3,583 U.S. adults, was conducted on Dec. 2, the day after the president granted Hunter Biden a “full and unconditional” pardon for any federal crimes committed in the last decade.

Hunter Biden had previously pleaded guilty to tax evasion and felony charges related to his purchase of a handgun. The president argued that his son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted.”

The poll also asked respondents to weigh in on President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to pardon Charles Kushner, his son-in-law’s father, during his first term.

On Dec. 23, 2020, Trump issued a full pardon for Kushner, who had been convicted of witness retaliation and making false tax returns, among other things. He left prison in 2006 after serving a two-year sentence.

Kushner’s “record of reform and charity overshadows” his conviction, the White House said at the time in a statement.

Fifty percent of respondents said they strongly or somewhat disapproved of Trump’s decision to pardon Kushner. Meanwhile, 22% said they strongly or somewhat approved, and 28% said they were not sure.

The responses were similarly split along partisan lines, with 39% of Republicans, 17% of independents and 14% of Democrats saying they approved.

A separate YouGov poll, conducted on Dec. 3, asked respondents to weigh in on Biden and Trump’s use of pardons more broadly.

Thirty-nine percent said they believed Biden’s pardons or commutations have been inappropriate, while 32% said they were appropriate and 28% said they weren’t sure.

The responses were similar for Trump, according to the poll, which sampled 5,147 U.S. adults.

Forty percent said they believed the president-elect’s acts of clemency during his first term have been inappropriate. Meanwhile, 30% said they were appropriate and 30% said they were not sure.

Lastly, the poll asked respondents whether they generally favored allowing the president to issue pardons or commute sentences.

A majority, 57%, said they strongly or somewhat approved of the president holding this constitutional power, while 28% said they strongly or somewhat disapproved. Fifteen percent said they were not sure.

_____