Joe Biden’s Shortsighted Pardon of His Son
The DailyYou’re reading The New Yorker’s daily newsletter, a guide to our top stories, featuring exclusive insights from our writers and editors. Sign up to receive it in your in-box.In today’s newsletter, Isaac Chotiner on the personal over the Presidency. And then:Amanda Petrusich on the best albums of 2024John C. Reilly’s tears of a clownThe meditative organ soundscapes of Kali MalonePhotograph by Evan Vucci / Pool / APBiden’s Pardon of Hunter Further Undermines His LegacyBy granting clemency to his son, the President put his family above the American people.In pardoning his son Hunter, Joe Biden “has once again forced Americans to ask whether he is acting in the national interest, or in response to private whims and grievances,” Isaac Chotiner writes. And the effects of his choice could very well outlast this moment in history. “Biden’s decision allows Republicans to engage in the same cynicism about the system being rigged and corrupt, and Trump being no different than any other politician, that they have engaged in for nearly a decade,” Chotiner adds. “This couldn’t be further from the truth—especially the part about Trump’s corruption and self-dealing being no different from the norm—but Biden is doing the work of people who want to wreck the best aspects of America’s democratic ethos.” Read the story »The Year in ReviewIllustration by Daniel JurmanThe Best Albums of 2024It’s possible that I listened to more music this year than any other. I lost interest in podcasts. I lost interest in silence. There was too much extraordinary work out there, Amanda Petrusich writes.More Top StoriesThe Meditative Organ Soundscapes of Kali MaloneJohn C. Reilly’s Lovelorn Alter EgoDaily Cartoon“I’m skipping Cyber Monday deals to hold out for Last-Try Tuesday and We-Didn’t-Make-Our-Sales-Goal Wednesday.”Cartoon by Lindsey BuddeCopy link to cartoonCopy link to cartoonLink copiedShopShopMore Fun & GamesPlay today’s challenging puzzle. A clue: Inscription hidden twice on Washington, D.C.,’s World War II Memorial. Thirteen letters.Sketchbook: Highly Successful InsomniacsP.S. Anyone can find twenty per cent off a blender on Cyber Monday. The real deal hunters are on the lookout for bigger game. In 2022, Adam Iscoe wrote about how New York’s municipalities were offering items at rock-bottom discounts, including fire hoses, a pair of Nikes given to Mayor Bloomberg as a gift, and a school bus without working brakes.
In today’s newsletter, Isaac Chotiner on the personal over the Presidency. And then:
- Amanda Petrusich on the best albums of 2024
- John C. Reilly’s tears of a clown
- The meditative organ soundscapes of Kali Malone
Biden’s Pardon of Hunter Further Undermines His Legacy
By granting clemency to his son, the President put his family above the American people.
In pardoning his son Hunter, Joe Biden “has once again forced Americans to ask whether he is acting in the national interest, or in response to private whims and grievances,” Isaac Chotiner writes. And the effects of his choice could very well outlast this moment in history. “Biden’s decision allows Republicans to engage in the same cynicism about the system being rigged and corrupt, and Trump being no different than any other politician, that they have engaged in for nearly a decade,” Chotiner adds. “This couldn’t be further from the truth—especially the part about Trump’s corruption and self-dealing being no different from the norm—but Biden is doing the work of people who want to wreck the best aspects of America’s democratic ethos.” Read the story »
The Year in Review
The Best Albums of 2024
It’s possible that I listened to more music this year than any other. I lost interest in podcasts. I lost interest in silence. There was too much extraordinary work out there, Amanda Petrusich writes.
Daily Cartoon
- Play today’s challenging puzzle. A clue: Inscription hidden twice on Washington, D.C.,’s World War II Memorial. Thirteen letters.
- Sketchbook: Highly Successful Insomniacs
P.S. Anyone can find twenty per cent off a blender on Cyber Monday. The real deal hunters are on the lookout for bigger game. In 2022, Adam Iscoe wrote about how New York’s municipalities were offering items at rock-bottom discounts, including fire hoses, a pair of Nikes given to Mayor Bloomberg as a gift, and a school bus without working brakes.
