The relationship between President Joe Biden and House Democrats appears to have grown strained after the president backtracked on his previous refusal to pardon his son, Hunter Biden.
Multiple House members told Axios this week that tensions were already brewing between the commander in chief and Democrat lawmakers, but the pardon sent many “over the edge,” one senior House Democrat told Axios.
“People are really angry,” the representative, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said.
They estimated that “more than 50 percent” of their fellow House Democrats are frustrated about Biden’s sweeping December 1 pardon for Hunter, a move he repeatedly claimed he would not make.
Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) chose to speak on the record, saying the Biden-House Democrats relationship is “I don’t think great” when asked about it.
WATCH — White House Insisted Joe Biden Wouldn’t Pardon Hunter Right After Trump Won Election:
Another source of the tension seems to be the perception that Biden cost Democrats the presidential election after staying in the race until July.
“I think there’s a widespread sense that he took too long to get out and that it made it very difficult for Vice President Harris to run the most impactful campaign,” Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL) told the outlet.
Another senior House Democrat pointed out that “some of the frustrations about Harris’ loss have to do with Biden.”
“Geez, you know, he stuck around longer than he probably should have,” the member added.
According to Landsman, the president got “a ton done” during his time in office, but there are “legitimate questions as to whether or not he should have served one term and been done” and added that Biden should have talked through the pardon decision “with others outside of his family.”
WATCH — Jill Biden: “Of Course” I Support Pardon for Hunter Biden:
A third senior House Democrat confirmed to Axios that “there’s definitely some tension” about the pardon, which came just before the younger Biden was set to face sentencing for gun charges, according to the Associated Press.
“There is a lot of frustration with Biden’s about-face,” yet another House member added, referring to Biden’s lies about not pardoning his son and his 2020 pledge to act as a “bridge” to ensure the success of newer Democrats.
“I am unplugging from Biden right now,” a fifth House Democrat told Axios when asked about the president.
Yet another member lamented how tarnished Biden has become by this drama.
“There’s certainly frustration with the Biden administration, and in some ways the most frustrating part is some of us really love Joe Biden,” the source told Axios. “And the feeling is: Why do you have to go out like this?”
