An old video of Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) talking about the need for Congress to have transparency when it came to presidential pardons went viral on social media after President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter from federal crimes on Sunday.
Years ago, when there was speculation that then-President Donald Trump might pardon attorney Michael Cohen and others mired in the Russia investigation, Schiff unveiled a bill called the “Abuse of the Pardon Prevention Act” that sought to “prevent this President or any other from abusing the pardon power for their own personal benefit or to obstruct justice.”
The bill would “require that if the President pardons someone in connection with an investigation in which the President or one of his family members is a target, subject, or witness, the evidence against recipient of the pardon would be provided by the Department of Justice to Congress,” according to a press release.
Schiff and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced versions of the legislation in their respective chambers, but the bill has never made it out of Congress.
In an April 2018 clip he shared to Twitter (now X), Schiff discussed his legislation with now-former CNN anchor Don Lemon and made the case for how Congress should be able to “find out whether the president is using this power to shield himself from liability.”
If the President issues a pardon in a case in which he or his family are implicated, the American people need to know whether it is part of an attempt to obstruct justice. This bill would make that possible and serve as a powerful deterrent. pic.twitter.com/kvIeORqvC3
— Adam Schiff (@AdamSchiff) April 19, 2018
Schiff added in the post: “If the President issues a pardon in a case in which he or his family are implicated, the American people need to know whether it is part of an attempt to obstruct justice. This bill would make that possible and serve as a powerful deterrent.”
Years later, people began to share the post and video after Biden announced on Sunday that he signed off on an extensive pardon covering any crimes that Hunter “has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024.”
CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
While the pardon immediately nixed the First Son’s gun and tax crimes, it also covered a lengthy time span, including the period when Hunter had foreign business affairs in the works — dealings that later became part of the corruption-focused impeachment inquiry against President Biden and could be the subject of future investigations during the incoming second Trump administration.
Schiff, who won a U.S. Senate seat in the 2024 election, got an earful from some of his GOP colleagues who will control both chambers of Congress in the next term.
“This aged like milk,” said Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).
“(D)ouble standards.” quipped Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ).
“Given Joe Biden’s unprecedented pardon of his son Hunter, granting blanket immunity… do you still believe this [Schiff]?” asked Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), adding, “Or is it rules for thee but not for me?”
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An old video of Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) talking about the need for Congress to have transparency when it came to presidential pardons went viral on social media after President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter from federal crimes on Sunday.
Years ago, when there was speculation that then-President Donald Trump might pardon attorney Michael Cohen and others mired in the Russia investigation, Schiff unveiled a bill called the “Abuse of the Pardon Prevention Act” that sought to “prevent this President or any other from abusing the pardon power for their own personal benefit or to obstruct justice.”
The bill would “require that if the President pardons someone in connection with an investigation in which the President or one of his family members is a target, subject, or witness, the evidence against recipient of the pardon would be provided by the Department of Justice to Congress,” according to a press release.
Schiff and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced versions of the legislation in their respective chambers, but the bill has never made it out of Congress.
In an April 2018 clip he shared to Twitter (now X), Schiff discussed his legislation with now-former CNN anchor Don Lemon and made the case for how Congress should be able to “find out whether the president is using this power to shield himself from liability.”
If the President issues a pardon in a case in which he or his family are implicated, the American people need to know whether it is part of an attempt to obstruct justice. This bill would make that possible and serve as a powerful deterrent. pic.twitter.com/kvIeORqvC3
— Adam Schiff (@AdamSchiff) April 19, 2018
Schiff added in the post: “If the President issues a pardon in a case in which he or his family are implicated, the American people need to know whether it is part of an attempt to obstruct justice. This bill would make that possible and serve as a powerful deterrent.”
Years later, people began to share the post and video after Biden announced on Sunday that he signed off on an extensive pardon covering any crimes that Hunter “has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024.”
CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
While the pardon immediately nixed the First Son’s gun and tax crimes, it also covered a lengthy time span, including the period when Hunter had foreign business affairs in the works — dealings that later became part of the corruption-focused impeachment inquiry against President Biden and could be the subject of future investigations during the incoming second Trump administration.
Schiff, who won a U.S. Senate seat in the 2024 election, got an earful from some of his GOP colleagues who will control both chambers of Congress in the next term.
“This aged like milk,” said Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).
“(D)ouble standards.” quipped Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ).
“Given Joe Biden’s unprecedented pardon of his son Hunter, granting blanket immunity… do you still believe this [Schiff]?” asked Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), adding, “Or is it rules for thee but not for me?”
“}]]
