- Outgoing President Joe Biden granted clemency to three convicted Chinese nationals just before Thanksgiving. These individuals include Yanjun Xu, Ji Chaoqun and Shanlin Jin, whose release were part of a prisoner swap with China.
- Xu, a Chinese intelligence officer, was sentenced to 20 years for espionage; Chaoqun received an eight-year sentence for aiding Xu's espionage efforts; Jin faced 97 months for possessing child pornography. All were ordered to leave the U.S. as part of the clemency.
- Biden also pardoned his son Hunter, issued pardons for 39 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes, and commuted sentences for nearly 1,500 others, aiming to enhance the criminal justice system's fairness and efficacy.
- The pardons faced criticism for setting a dangerous precedent and prioritizing personal interests over justice. Some, like Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Sen. Chuck Grassley, criticized the pardon of Hunter Biden.
- These actions have sparked debate on criminal justice reform and the use of executive clemency, likely shaping the political landscape under the new administration. Donald Trump also promised to pardon Jan. 6 riot participants, adding to the political tension.
In a controversial move that has reverberated across the political spectrum, outgoing President Joe Biden granted clemency to three convicted Chinese nationals just before Thanksgiving late last month.
The three individuals pardoned were Yanjun Xu, Ji Chaoqun and Shanlin Jin. Xu, a Chinese government intelligence officer, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to obtain U.S. aviation industry trade secrets through espionage. Chaoqun was sentenced to eight years for aiding Xu's espionage efforts and attempting to recruit other Chinese nationals for the same purpose.
Jin, meanwhile, received a 97-month sentence for possession of child pornography. His family's influence in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may have played a role in him receiving a pardon.
According to the Biden White House, the release of the three men were part of a prisoner swap with Beijing. All three have been ordered to leave the United States as a condition of their clemency.
The decision to grant clemency to the three Chinese nationals comes at the heels of the outgoing president's unprecedented pardon and commutation actions aimed at individuals convicted of non-violent offenses, a move that has both praised and criticized by various factions.
In early December, the elder Biden issued a pardon for his son Hunter spanning 10 years, despite earlier claims that he wouldn't do so. The Dec. 1 pardon for the younger Biden came ahead of his sentencing hearings this month for federal gun and tax charges he was convicted of. (Related: Joe Biden PARDONS son Hunter despite repeatedly insisting he wouldn't.)
The outgoing president later announced a pardon for 39 individuals convicted of convicted of non-violent crimes, alongside the commutation the sentences of nearly 1,500 others serving long prison terms. According to the elder Biden, the pardons announced Thursday, Dec. 12, are part of a larger effort to ensure a fair and just criminal justice system.
"As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities," Biden stated.
Trump plans to PARDON J6ers
However, the timing and context of these pardons – especially that of Hunter's – have raised eyebrows. Critics argue that this decision sets a dangerous precedent and prioritizes personal interests over the law.
But a day after the presidential son's pardon, President-elect Donald Trump said he plans to pardon participants of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot who are still in jail. He made this promise in a post on Truth Social, further emphasizing his campaign's pledge to reform the "Democrat-controlled" Department of Justice. Trump also blasted the agency's handling of investigations into his own administration.
The controversy surrounding these actions has generated significant debate among politicians on both sides of the fence. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, criticized Biden's decision to pardon his son, calling it a decision that prioritized family over the country. U.S. Sen Chuck Grassley (R-IA) expressed disappointment over Biden eventually pardoning his son despite claiming otherwise.
These actions have the potential to dramatically reshape the conversation around criminal justice reform and the use of executive clemency in the United States, setting the stage for what promises to be a contentious and politically charged beginning to the new administration.
Visit JoeBiden.news for more stories about the outgoing president's pardons.
Watch this clip that discusses the next high-profile member of the Biden administration to be pardoned.
This video is from the mcr channel on Brighteon.com.
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