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Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman said on Thursday that President Donald Trump should be pardoned in his New York case, claiming it was politically motivated.
Fetterman shared the surprising comments during an interview on ABC’s “The View.”
“President Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter is facing bipartisan backlash, even the Democrats are all over it. But what do you think? Is it much ado about nothing? It is his son after all, and people do have sympathy for that but a lot of people are angry with him about it. What do you say?” the show’s co-host Joy Behar asked Fetterman.
“I think it’s undeniable that the case against Hunter Biden was really politically motivated, but I also think it’s true that the trial in New York for Trump, that was political as well. And in both cases, I think a pardon is appropriate and I really think collectively America’s confidence in these kind of institutions have been damaged by these kinds of cases, and we cannot allow these kinds of institutions to be weaponized against our political opponents. And it’s very clear both trials were politically motivated weaponized on the other side,” Fetterman responded.
Fetterman later clarified that he was referring specifically to Trump’s New York business records case.
“I’m talking about the New York trial and now the Democrats on our side, there were some that were gleeful, now he’s a convicted felon and those things and now for our party, we were talking about criminal justice and we are now talking about second chances and now all of a sudden now you’re, like, well, he’s a convicted felon and all these things and now clearly, again, both of those trials, the Hunter Biden one and the trial in New York for Trump, that was clearly those politically motivated and those kinds of charges would have never been brought unless one side could realize they could weaponize that,” he stated.
President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden on Sunday.
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” Biden wrote in a statement. “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 are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form,” Biden added. “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.”
Trump reacted to the pardon on Sunday night, calling the action a “miscarriage of justice.”
“Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” Trump responded.