Dem Rep. Clyburn reveals he pressured Biden to grant clemency to his son: "It was necessary"

On Tuesday night, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., confessed that he was among those who encouraged President Biden to grant a pardon to his son Hunter Biden.

In an interview on CNN's "Laura Coates Live," a prominent Democratic lawmaker expressed support for the president's decision to pardon his son, despite opposition from many within the party. The lawmaker argued that Biden's son is a political target and needs protection.

Clyburn declared on the program that he was completely fine with it, even though he didn't know how many people had urged him to do so, he had done it.

On Sunday, the president declared that he had granted his son a pardon, which would absolve him of any wrongdoing committed between January 1, 2014 and December 1, 2024.

Biden accused the Department of Justice of targeting his son, stating, "I have kept my word even as I watched my son being selectively and unfairly prosecuted."

The decision made by President Biden was criticized by many liberals, with some Democratic figures stating that it harms the U.S. justice system. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said, "President Biden's move put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans' faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all."

This week, the Washington Post editorial board criticized the move, stating that it serves as a cover for President-elect Donald Trump's long-held beliefs that the DOJ has been weaponized against him.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., criticized Biden for breaking his promise.

""I understand the urge to protect Hunter given everything the president and his family have been through, but I trusted the president's word, so I'm disappointed and can't support the decision," Newsom said to Politico on Tuesday."

Clyburn responded directly to Newsom's statement by telling Coates that he urged Biden to pardon his son because he believed he was being targeted.

According to Clyburn, if he were not Joe Biden's son, he would not have been subjected to such scrutiny.

The congressman revealed that he advised Biden two weeks ago and that the president required some persuading.

Clyburn stated that Biden appeared hesitant to discuss his reaction, but emphasized the importance of fathers fulfilling their responsibilities to their children.

Clyburn argued that Hunter Biden was unfairly treated and that's why he made the recommendation. He stated that if Hunter had gone through the same process as others, he would not have felt this way. However, when Hunter was prosecuted for not filling out a form to get a gun he never used, which was later thrown away, and then was charged with a felony, Clyburn saw this as a problem.

To safeguard his son, Joe Biden took measures while leaving office.

During the interview, the lawmaker disclosed that he had a list of individuals he hoped Biden would pardon before Trump's DOJ could prosecute them.

"I believe that Jack Smith and Liz Cheney should be preemptively pardoned because I fear that Trump may bring in individuals who will target them in a severe manner, and there is no need to expose them to such treatment."

Planet Chronicle Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.