In a notable exercise of executive power, former President Donald Trump has issued clemency to two individuals associated with Hunter Biden, son of current President Joe Biden. This move comes amidst ongoing controversies regarding alleged misuse of political influence in international business dealings.

Pardons and Commutations

On a recent Tuesday, Trump granted a full pardon to Devon Archer, who had served over a year in prison for defrauding a Native American tribal entity, a conviction reached in 2022. Shortly after, he commuted the lengthy 189-month sentence of Jason Galanis, who was implicated in various fraudulent schemes.

The Path to Clemency

Both Archer and Galanis share a complex history with Hunter Biden. They previously engaged in business ventures involving Biden and later faced legal troubles unrelated to these dealings. After seeking clemency from the Biden administration without success, they surfaced in public discourse, alleging that Hunter exploited his familial connections for foreign business opportunities.

Notably, Galanis escalated his efforts by hiring Mark Paoletta, an attorney known for his close associations with Trump’s political network. Paoletta has recently been designated as the general counsel for the White House Office of Management and Budget but did not provide commentary regarding Galanis’ commutation request.

Testimony and Accusations

In an unusual turn of events, Galanis provided testimony before the House Oversight Committee from a correctional facility in Alabama. During his testimony, he suggested that President Biden had a more active role in Hunter’s business affairs than publicly disclosed, stating, “the entire value add of Hunter Biden to our business was his family name and his access to his father, Vice President Joe Biden.”

Denials and Investigations

The current president has firmly denied any allegations of wrongdoing regarding his son’s business practices. Despite these claims, Republican investigations found no substantial evidence linking Joe Biden’s political actions to Hunter Biden’s financial dealings, culminating in a failed impeachment inquiry last August.

Reactions to Clemency

Following the pardons, Matthew Schwartz, Archer’s attorney, remarked on the judicial system, emphasizing the potential for error within jury decisions. He stated, “the American jury system is an amazing thing, but as the trial judge held in finding serious questions about Devon Archer’s innocence, sometimes juries get it wrong.”

Schwartz further expressed gratitude towards Trump for addressing what he perceives as a significant miscarriage of justice, asserting that the pardon allows Archer to escape the burden of wrongful prosecution.