CNN Host Forces Rep. To Watch Clip Of Himself Promising Hunter Wouldn’t Be Pardoned

On Monday, CNN’s Brianna Keilar forced Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) to confront his own past assurances that President Joe Biden would not pardon his son, Hunter Biden. The segment aired in the wake of Biden’s controversial Sunday night decision to issue a full pardon for his embattled son, a move that has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle.

Keilar played a July 2023 clip of Goldman confidently dismissing the idea that Biden would ever consider pardoning his son. At the time, Goldman contrasted Biden’s approach with that of then- former President Donald Trump, citing the appointment of a Trump-nominated U.S. attorney to investigate Hunter as evidence of Biden’s commitment to judicial independence.

In the clip, Goldman stated unequivocally: “Yes, and I don’t think there’s any chance that President Biden is going to do that, unlike his predecessor, who pardoned all of his friends and anyone who had any access to him.”

Keilar then pivoted back to the present, asking Goldman directly, “What does that feel like?” as his July remarks lingered in the air. Goldman appeared visibly uncomfortable as he tried to defend his earlier statement, claiming that the circumstances around Hunter Biden’s legal troubles had shifted significantly since his original comments.

Goldman explained that his comments were made when the plea agreement seemed likely, arguing that such an agreement would have rendered a pardon unnecessary. “That plea deal had gone through, there would be no pardon,” he claimed, suggesting that the collapse of the deal left Biden with fewer options. Only he didn’t realize he made those initial comments after the plea deal fell through.

WATCH:

The pardon marks a reversal for Joe Biden, who had previously insisted he would not use his executive authority to shield his son from legal consequences. Many believe the decision undermines his promise to restore integrity to the presidency. Biden announced Sunday evening that he will be issuing a pardon for his son, Hunter, who was convicted in two separate federal cases earlier this year.

“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” Biden wrote in a White House statement. “From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted.”

“Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form,” the statement added. “Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently.”

Hunter, 54, faced a number of legal issues in 2024 after he was indicted by Special Counsel David Weiss in two separate criminal matters. He was first convicted in Delaware federal court for lying on a federal form when purchasing a handgun, and was later convicted of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in a federal tax case filed in California.

“The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election. Then, a carefully negotiated plea deal, agreed to by the Department of Justice, unraveled in the court room – with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process. Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair, reasonable resolution of Hunter’s cases,” the president wrote.

Biden’s final weeks in office were already fraught with challenges, from a turbulent economy to waning public approval. The pardon of his son, however, may be the most damaging blow to his legacy, solidifying perceptions of hypocrisy and weakening public trust in the presidency.

(FREE GUIDE: Trump’s Secret New “IRS Loophole” Has Democrats Panicking)