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Biden’s pardon backlash


Hello! It’s Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at Paste BN. Spotify Wrapped is expected to come out this week, and I’m excited to see which artists got me through this busy election year.

Biden faces backlash from Democrats for breaking promise by pardoning son

In his last few weeks as president, Joe Biden is drawing the ire of members of his own party after pardoning his son Hunter. Biden for more than a year promised he would not issue a pardon for his son, who was convicted on federal gun charges and tax charges. Some Democrats criticized the president for going back on his word and for further eroding trust in the justice system. Read more.

Another issue emerging: Biden bypassed the customary processing by the Justice Department’s pardon office.

Biden’s unusually broad pardon “was not processed via application” through the Justice Department’s pardon office, as is customary, according to an email from the senior deputy pardon attorney who isn’t named in court records. The pardon office has received, reviewed and investigated clemency applications for more than 130 years. Read more.

Biden poses with Angola President Joao Lourenco 

Biden met with Angola President Joao Lourenco as he made his first visit to Africa as president to discuss a US-backed rail project and the legacy of slavery.

A politics pit stop

Is ‘Wicked’ an allegory for the presidential election? Why it’s resonating with Black women.

It’s more than just popular. For some Black “Wicked” fans, the movie’s underlying narratives about racism, discrimination and privilege directly parallel their own upbringing as young Black women. And that hits especially hard for some viewers after the 2024 presidential election. Read more.

Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.