'Shocked': Ex-FBI official details 'possible effect' of Biden pardon on Cabinet hearings

Andrew McCabe, the former deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), on Monday detailed the potential fallout of President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, telling CNN he was “a little shocked” by the president’s move.

Biden on Sunday announced a “Full and Unconditional Pardon” for Hunter Biden, who was convicted in June of three felony charges related to a 2018 gun purchase. Hunter Biden also pleaded guilty in September to nine tax evasion charges, CBS News reports. Biden had previously stated he would not pardon his son.

Discussing the move on CNN, McCabe admitted he “was a little shocked” by what he assumes was a “torturous” decision for the president.

“It puts really pits [Biden] against two things that we know mean very much to him: his respect for the system of justice and his role as an institutionalist preserving those sorts of institutions, and his love for and desire to protect his son,” McCabe said.

“So he had no easy choices here,” the former acting FBI director noted. “But nevertheless, choosing to issue this pardon for whatever reasons he did after so many times saying he would not, is a really bad look for him. And I think it's potentially a destructive thing for his party.”

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McCabe argued the move “creates the appearance of hypocrisy” and “could go to supporting … people’s opinions that the system is somehow stacked in favor of Democrats against Republicans.”

“I think this looks like the nation's head Democrat using the system for his own benefit,” McCabe said.

Asked about the potential impact of Biden’s decision on President-elect Donald Trump’s effort to push a spate of controversial Cabinet picks through the U.S. Senate, McCabe warned the move could affect “how aggressively some senators” approach confirmation hearings.

“The act of the pardon is generating a fair amount of frustration and anger, particularly on the Republican side,” McCabe said. “That perception, that anger, that feeling that the other side is working the system to benefit themselves and their family members, could very well have an impact on how aggressively some senators — who harbor legitimate questions or concerns about [Trump FBI director nominee] Kash Patel — it could change the way that they approach those hearings.”

“I think that’s possible, I wouldn’t predict outcomes but I think it’s a possible effect,” McCabe said.

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