Editorial 02.12.24
The US front pages report on a variety of domestic news with President Joe Biden issuing a ‘full and unconditional’ pardon for his son Hunter Biden leading much of the American press.
The news has been met with widespread backlash across the right and left as Biden had previously promised he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence. Hunter Biden was set to face sentencing this month on federal felony gun and tax convictions
President Biden said his U-turn was due to how unfairly Hunter had been treated, he said although he believed in the justice system, “politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice”.
A few major papers cover the Syrian rebel forces seizing control of Aleppo – the country’s second-largest city.
‘Biden pardons Hunter’
‘Biden goes back on his promise,’ says The Wall Street Journal.
The Wall Street Journal says President Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden on Sunday, wiping away his criminal convictions on tax and gun charges despite saying earlier this year he wouldn’t grant such a reprieve.
‘He’ll face few political ramifications,’ notes The Washington Post.
The Washington Post says most in his inner circle thought the pardon would come and it comes at a time when Biden faces few political ramifications, “given that he is a lame duck and voters have already rendered their verdict on his administration by sending Donald Trump back to office.”
‘No surprise Biden broke another promise,’ reports New York Post.
New York Post dedicates its whole front page to the story. The paper’s columnist says “So it is fitting that one of the final acts of this mendacious president before leaving office was to break yet another promise to the American people.” Online they question whether Trump will now pardon those imprisoned for the January 6 riots.
‘Rebels capture Aleppo’
‘Rebels captured Aleppo airport and attacks the city of Hama,’ writes The New York Times.
The New York Times says forces opposed to President Bashar al-Assad have captured the Aleppo airport and are attacking the western city of Hama, according to local officials and a Britain-based war monitor.
‘Most serious challenge to Assad’s regime,’ reports the WSJ.
The Wall Street Journal says Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad is facing the most serious challenge to his grip on power in nearly a decade after rebels captured most of the city of Aleppo in a swift offensive that crumpled his Russian- and Iranian-backed forces and has the potential to alter the balance of power in the Middle East.
‘Rebels have made stunning gains,’ says The Washington Post.
The Washington Post says the rebels have made stunning gains against President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, with Russia, Iran and Hezbollah distracted by other conflicts. The paper says “the timing of the operation is one of the central questions looming over the rebel offensive, given that before the insurgents started advancing last week, it had been years since Syria’s front lines had moved.”
‘Republicans back Trump’s nominations’
‘Republicans back Trump’s plans to put a loyalist in power,’ says The New York Times.
The New York Times says several lawmakers expressed support on Sunday for the president-elect’s plan to install a loyalist who has vowed to use the position to exact revenge on adversaries.
‘Trump’s tariff plans amongst top risks for owners,’ says the Wall Street Journal.
The Wall Street Journal looks at Trump’s tariff threats. The paper says Trump’s tariff plans rank among the top risks for owners, even those shifting production out of China. ‘Uncertainty is the real killer.’
‘Trump’s Cabinet adopting influencer tactics,’ report the Washington Post.
The Washington Post reports the president-elect and some in his proposed Cabinet are adopting influencer tactics to hawk products, boost political points and promote their personal brands.