Why such a long time-frame and non-specific list of offenses for this pardon? This decade-long get-out-of-jail-free pass for Hunter Biden covers the period during which he has been accused of influence peddling through a variety of “business” dealings in eastern Europe and central Asia. Most notably, it was during this period that Hunter Biden joined the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Hunter Biden was paid $1 million per year for his “work” on the board, in spite of having no professional history that would qualify him for such a role. Overall, the House Oversight Committee accuses the Biden family of acceping over $20 million from foreign entities like Burisma and similar organizations. The pardon seeks to ensure that Hunter cannot be charged for any of the questionable activities tied to his many “deals” made with foreign governments.

No one should be surprised that the president did this. Of course Biden used his power to protect himself and his family members. At this point in history, it should go without saying that being at the highest levels of state power is extraordinarily helpful in protecting and enriching one’s self, one’s family, and one’s friends. Thus, we should absolutely expect the sorts of people who go into politics—mostly people with few moral scruples—to use the system to benefit themselves and their friends.