Stephen A. Smith is best known for his outspoken takes on the world of sports, a trademark of his appearances across ESPN’s various shows and networks. But when it comes to his personal podcast, Smith doesn’t limit himself to sports—he delves into whatever topic he finds compelling, including politics.
In a recent episode, Smith shared his candid thoughts on President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, sparking a heated conversation.
Hunter Biden, who has faced legal trouble over a variety of charges, including gun-related offenses and drug possession, was recently granted a full pardon by his father, President Biden. The decision, which has become a hot topic of political debate, drew criticism from Smith, who didn’t hold back when giving his opinion on the matter.
During his podcast, Smith called the president a “hypocrite” for going back on his previous promise not to pardon his son. He pointed out that President Biden had repeatedly stated that he would allow the legal process to take its course without interference, yet ultimately chose to use his presidential power to protect his son.
“When you look at Donald Trump and how the Democrats went after him, you do understand that the Democrats are no longer in a position to say anything, right?” Smith said. “You can talk ’til the cows come home, but you’re whistling into the wind. Nobody wants to hear what you have to say right now. I’m not talking about you, I’m talking about your party.”
Smith argued that the American public might have understood Biden’s decision if the president had simply acknowledged his intention to protect his son from jail time. Instead, he felt Biden’s actions came off as disingenuous, given the promises he had previously made.
“All you had to do was say, ‘That’s my son. I’m not sending him to jail. I have the power to pardon him and to bring him home with me,’” Smith said. “Everybody would’ve understood that. That wasn’t good enough for you. Instead, you had to try to make it look like he was victimized, as though you are some kind of innocent bystander, some paragon of virtue.”
Smith continued to criticize Biden, saying that the way the president handled the pardon has created even more skepticism about the Democratic Party. In Smith’s eyes, Biden’s actions ultimately undermined the party’s efforts to distinguish itself from the behavior of former President Donald Trump.
“Now you’ve brought more skepticism in the direction of the Democratic Party. Why? Because you showed you’re no different than the other side, which you were accusing of everything,” Smith said. The implication, according to Smith, is that Biden’s actions have revealed a level of hypocrisy that hurts the credibility of the party as a whole.
Smith then compared Biden’s handling of Hunter’s situation to how the Democrats approached former President Donald Trump.
He pointed out that the Democrats spent years scrutinizing Trump, pursuing investigations and highlighting his transgressions, while promoting themselves as a more principled and morally superior alternative.
“Y’all went after Donald Trump for everything but tying his shoelaces in the right way. You raked him through the coals. You threw him under the bus. You did everything to him,” Smith said. “And I’m in no way trying to act like he’s some innocent bystander in all this. But when the word ‘hypocrisy’ comes up, there’s no escaping it.”
Smith’s primary issue with Biden’s actions seems to be the precedent they set for the Democratic Party. For years, Democrats have distanced themselves from Trump and his brand of politics, positioning themselves as an alternative to the chaos and controversy that surrounded his presidency.
By pardoning his son, Smith argued, Biden demonstrated that he and his party might not be as different as they claimed.
Smith’s comments have resonated with listeners who see a double standard in Biden’s handling of his son’s legal troubles.
While some might sympathize with a father’s desire to protect his son, Smith believes that the way Biden went about it was misguided and, ultimately, damaging to the image of a party that has prided itself on being the moral counterbalance to Trump-era politics.
As the debate continues, Smith’s take highlights the complex intersection of family loyalty, political responsibility, and public perception.
The backlash against Biden’s decision reflects the scrutiny that comes with public office, where every action—especially those involving family—carries political ramifications.
For Stephen A. Smith, the pardon represents a moment where ideals were sacrificed, and it’s a reminder that even the most well-intentioned leaders can fall short of their own standards.
