NEW: Biden’s Approval Drops To Historic Low Following Hunter Pardon

President Joe Biden is facing sharp criticism following his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, a move that has sparked widespread controversy and appears to have further eroded his public support.

According to a poll conducted by J.L. Partners, Biden’s approval rating has dropped to a historic low of 37 percent, marking a four-point decline from previous polls. The decision to grant clemency to his son, who has been embroiled in legal battles over tax and firearm charges, has drawn sharp rebukes from both sides of the political spectrum.

More than half of voters surveyed—54 percent—believe the president’s actions were wrong, undermining his repeated assurances that Hunter would not receive special treatment. The fallout extends beyond Biden’s approval ratings. The poll of 804 registered voters found that many Americans see the pardon as emblematic of deeper issues with trust in government.

Nearly 60 percent of respondents believe the move damages confidence in political leaders, with some comparing it to major scandals of the past. The poll, which was released on Sunday evening, revealed that 52 percent of participants believed Biden made a mistake in pardoning his son, while only 29 percent supported his decision.

Republican disapproval was big, with 79 percent opposing the pardon and just 13 percent in favor. Among Democrats, less than half—47 percent—supported Biden’s action, indicating a significant division within his own party. Overall, 54 percent of respondents indicated that the decision set a bad precedent, while only 10 percent believed it established a good one.

“This poll shows that in pardoning his son Joe Biden has driven a stake through his own reputation,” said James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners. “By an overwhelming margin, voters think that it was the wrong thing to do,” he added. “Nor can Democrat voters bring themselves to defend it.”

“As Biden leaves office, his already negative approval ratings have taken a further hit. He will bow out as a tarnished political figure—seen as old, ineffective, and now having made a decision that voters believe will cripple Americans’ trust in democracy,” Johnson concluded.

Biden’s approval ratings have been under pressure for months due to persistent inflation, concerns about the border crisis, and his handling of foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East. The latest dip raises questions about his viability as the Democratic standard-bearer in 2024.

According to the poll, 21 percent of voters believe the pardon was equally damaging to public trust as former President Clinton’s affair with a White House intern, while 29 percent found it even more detrimental. Clinton faced impeachment after giving misleading testimony about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Half of the respondents equated the scandal’s impact with that of Watergate, which led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation.

Last week, 41 percent of voters approved of the president’s performance, while 47 percent disapproved. However, following the pardon, approval ratings dropped to 37 percent—a decrease of four points—and disapproval increased to 48 percent, further deepening the president’s unfavorable rating.

With trust in his leadership at a nadir, the president’s ability to rally his coalition and fend off Republican attacks will be severely tested in the weeks ahead.

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