House Democrats are not amused.
The relationship between President Joe Biden and House Democrats has become increasingly strained, particularly after he reversed his previous stance on pardoning his son, Hunter Biden. Several House members told Axios that tensions had been rising, but Biden’s December 1 decision to grant the pardon pushed many Democrats to their breaking point. One senior House Democrat, speaking anonymously, noted that over half of their colleagues are upset about the pardon, which Biden had previously said he would not issue.
Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) openly expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that the relationship between Biden and House Democrats is “not great.” In addition to the pardon, another source of frustration stems from the perception that Biden’s prolonged candidacy in the 2020 election, which lasted until July, hurt the party’s chances. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL) argued that Biden stayed in the race too long, making it difficult for Vice President Harris to run a strong campaign. Some Democrats also believe that Biden’s decision to stay in the race affected Harris’ performance in the election.
Landsman acknowledged Biden’s achievements during his presidency but raised concerns about whether Biden should have served only one term. He also suggested that Biden should have consulted with others outside of his family before making the decision on the pardon. Another senior Democrat confirmed to Axios that frustration over the pardon is widespread, particularly since it came just before Hunter Biden was due to face sentencing for gun charges.
The reversal on the pardon, coupled with Biden’s earlier statements denying he would issue one, has caused significant disillusionment among some House Democrats. One member expressed their frustration by saying they were “unplugging from Biden” entirely. Another lamented how Biden’s legacy has been tainted by the ongoing drama, with some members who still admire the president feeling deeply disappointed by his actions.
