Vice President Kamala Harris' ascension to the role of standard-bearer of the Democratic Party also passes the baton of what, if anything, to do about first son Hunter Biden, should she win the presidency in November.
Democrats willing to address the issue this week at the party's convention in Chicago said they doubt a would-be President Harris would pardon President Joe Biden's son, the Washington Examiner reported.
Hunter Biden awaits sentencing in his felony gun conviction and is set to go on trial for tax evasion charges next month. Legal experts don't expect him to receive prison time in the former; regardless, Democrats scoffed at the idea of Harris' intervening.
"No, no, that's [Donald] Trump politics. He's the one who pardons his family members and his political party," Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., told the Examiner. "Democrats don't do that."
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he has "heard no talk whatsoever" of a Harris pardon for Hunter Biden.
"I have no idea. I sincerely doubt it. I don't think Kamala Harris will be pardoning anyone," Blumenthal told the Examiner.
Hunter Biden was convicted in June in Delaware on three felony counts of lying about his drug use when purchasing a firearm. His sentencing is expected right after November's election.
Also, a judge earlier this week denied a bid by Hunter Biden's legal team to dismiss his tax evasion case, clearing the way for that to proceed in California next month.
President Biden repeatedly said in June he would not pardon his son in the wake of the gun conviction, vowing to "abide by the jury's decision." Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said Harris, too, shouldn't consider a pardon.
"I wouldn't recommend to her that she do it," Thompson told the Examiner.
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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