A pardon as a symptom of deepening polarization in US by Thanos Kalamidas

In a move that has already shaken the core of America's political landscape, President Joe Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, signals not only the depth of personal and institutional crises in the United States but also the widening chasm of polarization threatening to engulf the nation. It is a reminder that the roots of division extend far beyond policy disagreements and have become entrenched in the very fabric of American society, with consequences that will linger for generations.

To some, the pardon is a father's act of compassion, an attempt to shield his son from the relentless attacks of a media circus and a polarized judicial system. To others, it represents the ultimate betrayal of ethical governance, a self-serving exploitation of presidential power in favour of nepotism. And yet, for all the outrage and fervour on both sides, one cannot overlook the darker truth this episode exposes: the United States has become a nation so consumed by its own internal divisions that every action, no matter how personal or political, becomes a battleground for the larger war over its identity.

It would be easy to label Joe Biden as the most polarizing president in U.S. history, but to do so ignores the broader context in which he operates. Biden campaigned on a promise of unity, yet he inherited a nation already fractured by decades of culture wars, economic disparities, and growing mistrust in institutions. The pardon of Hunter Biden, whether justified or not, serves as a lightning rod for these divisions.

The right will undoubtedly seize upon this act as proof of corruption and moral decay, a rallying cry for their long-held narrative of Democratic elitism. The left, meanwhile, will frame the backlash as another example of the Republican Party's hypocrisy, pointing to the endless scandals of former President Donald Trump and his family. Neither side is likely to move an inch closer to understanding the other's perspective, further entrenching the zero-sum game that defines American politics today.

But the real tragedy lies in how this polarization has seeped into every level of governance and public discourse. No longer confined to policy debates, it now extends to personal attacks, judicial rulings, and even family matters. Every decision, no matter how small, is interpreted through the lens of partisan loyalty.

The pardon is not just a singular event; it is part of a cycle that has been decades in the making. Each administration inherits the grievances of the last, adding new layers of animosity to an already volatile political landscape. Bill Clinton’s impeachment, George W. Bush’s controversial election, Barack Obama’s healthcare reforms, Donald Trump’s unprecedented presidency, and now Joe Biden’s tenure—each chapter has contributed to the escalation of division.

The pardon of Hunter Biden is simply the latest flashpoint in this escalating war. It is not difficult to imagine that a future Republican president will use this precedent to justify their own pardons, perhaps of even more egregious cases. The result is a feedback loop of retribution, where each side believes it must outdo the other to maintain power and influence.

The polarization is not limited to the political elite. It has permeated every level of society, from local governments to family dinner tables. Trust in institutions—whether the media, the judiciary, or law enforcement—has plummeted, replaced by a growing reliance on partisan echo chambers. The pardon of Hunter Biden will only exacerbate this trend, as Americans increasingly view justice not as impartial but as a tool wielded by those in power to protect their own.

At its core, the Hunter Biden pardon exposes the fragility of the American experiment. It highlights a system in which personal loyalty often trumps public accountability and where the rule of law is overshadowed by the rule of perception.

The question now is not whether polarization will continue to deepen—it will—but how much damage it will inflict before the nation reaches a breaking point. The pardon of Hunter Biden is not the cause of this polarization but a symptom of a much larger illness. Addressing it will require more than political rhetoric or half-hearted calls for unity. It will demand a fundamental rethinking of how Americans engage with each other, how they consume information, and how they hold their leaders accountable.

For now, however, the future looks grim. As the outrage over Hunter Biden’s pardon fades, it will inevitably be replaced by another scandal, another controversy, another reason for Americans to distrust and despise one another. The cycle will continue, and the divisions will grow deeper, threatening the very foundation of the republic.

The United States has faced many challenges in its history, but few have been as insidious as the polarization that now grips it. The pardon of Hunter Biden may one day be remembered not as an isolated event but as a symbol of a nation that, in its quest for victory, lost sight of its values. And unless something changes, the worst is yet to come.