President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden almost feels like a calculated shock — a Sunday night surprise that blindsided Washington and reignited controversy. While Biden’s intention may not have been to provoke outrage, the pardon carries a sense of sabotage, inadvertently providing ammunition to critics who accuse the government of self-serving elitism and hypocrisy.

The pardon comes as the nation braces for President-elect Donald Trump’s return, with his appointees poised to take control of the FBI, Justice Department, and other key agencies. Trump’s allies have already vowed to overhaul the justice system, and Biden’s clemency decision undercuts Democrats’ efforts to portray these institutions as sacrosanct.

It’s hard to reconcile Biden’s decision to exempt his son from legal consequences with the party’s calls to defend federal law enforcement from politicization. This contradiction has handed Trump and his supporters a narrative they can exploit: that justice is selectively applied and favors the powerful.

There’s an argument for mercy in Hunter Biden’s case. Critics of the prosecution, including columnist Ankush Khardori, have pointed out that the charges likely wouldn’t have been brought against someone else. Yet, Biden’s actions run counter to his repeated assertions that he would restore the Justice Department’s independence.

Biden’s appointment of Merrick Garland as attorney general and his decision to retain U.S. Attorney David Weiss in Delaware were intended to reinforce that commitment. The president’s aides consistently assured the public that a pardon for Hunter was “off the table.” With a single announcement, Biden has undone those efforts, leaving his allies to grapple with the fallout.

Biden’s presidency has been marked by missteps in political timing, and this pardon is no exception. From his delayed action on infrastructure to his handling of party unity during the 2024 election, Biden has often appeared out of sync with the political moment.

The decision to pardon Hunter Biden arrives as the justice system faces heightened scrutiny, and Republicans prepare to weaponize perceived favoritism. The timing undercuts Democrats’ efforts to draw a line between Hunter’s legal troubles and Joe Biden’s presidency.

In his statement, Biden framed the pardon as a father’s act of grace for a son he believes was unfairly targeted. While many parents might empathize with Biden’s decision, few have the power to grant such absolution.

Democratic lawmakers, who have sought to separate the president from his son’s actions, now face the challenge of defending a decision that appears to confirm Republican accusations of double standards. Public comments from party leaders like Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Rep. Jamie Raskin emphasized Hunter Biden’s accountability, but those assurances now ring hollow.

Biden’s pardon raises questions about the future of his party and its credibility. As Democrats prepare for Trump’s return and a fresh wave of political battles, the president’s decision may prove to be one of his administration’s most consequential missteps.

Having left the country on a trip to Angola, Biden has avoided immediate confrontation with his allies, who are left to navigate the fallout from his controversial choice. Whether intended as an act of compassion or not, the pardon stands as a parting blow to Washington’s already fragile trust in its institutions.