Newsom emerges as top Democrat to diverge from Biden regarding his son's pardon

The governor of California, a close ally of the president, expressed his disagreement with Biden’s decision.

Newsom emerges as top Democrat to diverge from Biden regarding his son's pardon
SACRAMENTO, California — California Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed his disappointment in President Joe Biden's unexpected decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. Speaking to PMG on Tuesday, Newsom remarked, “With everything the president and his family have been through, I completely understand the instinct to protect Hunter. But I took the president at his word. So by definition, I’m disappointed and can’t support the decision.”

Newsom chose not to elaborate further, instead concentrating on how the president's action had undermined his trust. Biden and his team had consistently stated that he would not grant a pardon to Hunter prior to this reversal.

These comments from Newsom came shortly after the White House announced the pardon on Sunday evening. His candid critique positions him as one of the most prominent figures in the Democratic Party to openly disapprove of the president's sweeping action.

A spokesperson for the White House has opted not to comment on Newsom's remarks.

This marks a challenging moment for Newsom, a Democrat who cultivated a close relationship with Biden in recent years and had been among his staunchest defenders. Just two weeks prior, Newsom met privately with Biden during a visit to the White House, where he advocated for the approval of pending federal disaster relief funding and pushed for healthcare access initiatives and clean air improvements.

Throughout the past two years, whether on the campaign trail, in debate spin rooms, or on Sunday news programs, Newsom has vigorously championed Biden’s record along with support for his reelection and his mental and physical fitness. The president had also supported Newsom during challenging times, notably headlining a significant rally in Southern California for the governor amid a Republican-led recall effort in 2021.

Newsom has previously communicated with Hunter Biden, including a personal exchange a decade ago after Hunter’s discharge from the Navy Reserve. In an email titled "hang in there," Newsom wrote, "Like so many other things in life, this will pass and you will come out of the white water stronger — Gavin."

However, Newsom has generally refrained from discussing Hunter Biden's legal issues publicly. When questioned about the younger Biden's attempts to leverage his father's name in a CNN interview with Dana Bash last year, he stated, “I don't know enough about the details of that. I mean I've seen a little of that.”

He further added, “If that's the new criteria, there are a lot of folks in a lot of industries – not just in politics – where people have family members and relationships and they're trying to parlay and get a little influence and benefit in that respect. That's hardly unique.” Despite his reservations, the governor concluded, "I don’t love that any more than you love it or other people I imagine love that. We want to see a lot less of that, but an impeachment inquiry? Give me a break.”

Aarav Patel for TROIB News