Presidential history is filled with disgraced sons, with only a few exceptions like John Quincy Adams and Beau Biden. However, throughout most of America's history, First Sons have brought embarrassment to their fathers. Surprisingly, their actions have rarely influenced presidential elections.
Alexis Coe
Republicans are hoping that President Joe Biden's other son, Hunter, who is the first offspring of a sitting president to be charged by the Justice Department, will have a detrimental impact on his father's political career. However, historical evidence shows that troublesome presidential sons have existed since the early days of the nation, and using them as a political weapon has never been successful in winning elections.
If voters want to ensure the continuation of the American Experiment, they should view this unprecedented situation with great concern. The functioning of our democracy relies on everyone playing by the same rules. If there is evidence of a crime committed by a sitting president, former president, presidential candidate, presidential heir, or anyone else, they should face consequences. Unfortunately, in modern America, one party has demonstrated that no one is held accountable under the law. The other party seems to believe in retaliation, even if it means targeting future generations.
One of our founding fathers foresaw this type of scenario and tried to caution us. In his Farewell Address of 1796, George Washington warned "friends and citizens" about the dangers posed by political parties driven by a thirst for revenge. It was evident even then that he feared future generations might overlook his advice.
circa 1789:George Washington (1732 - 1799), the 1st President of the United States of America.(Photo by Three Lions/Getty Images)
Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Opinion: Nearly everything you thought you knew about George Washington is wrong
This founding father, who was accustomed to being ignored by younger generations, had a troubled relationship with his step-son, Jacky Custis. In fact, Jacky was known for being extremely lazy and indulgent, as mentioned by Jacky's tutor, Reverend Jonathan Boucher, in a letter to George Washington. However, when Wash, Jacky's son, was born, Washington found himself dealing with an even more indolent and pleasure-seeking child. Throughout his presidency, Washington raised Wash, who had a strong inclination towards idleness unless it involved his own entertainment. In addition to his vices of gambling, drinking, and womanizing, historians believe that Wash fathered at least 10 children with enslaved women.
Washington had some foresight into the detrimental effects that power-hungry political parties could have on our democracy. However, he could not have imagined that his successors in office - Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe - would target his family. The rise of partisanship during Washington's presidency was blamed by him on Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, and he feared that they would harm his family. The same was true for Madison, whose reckless stepson, John Payne Todd, frequently found himself in debt and legal trouble. In a letter to Thomas Jefferson in 1817, John Adams expressed his sympathy for Madison in dealing with his troublesome stepson.
Robert Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln, between 1870 and 1880.
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"You have persisted in your deceitful attempts for far too long," Mary, the widow of Abraham Lincoln, wrote to Robert, their sole surviving son, after a year-long campaign to liberate herself from the institution he unjustly condemned her to. Robert, who sought to establish himself as Lincoln's rightful successor, was determined to be the focal point of attention at the commemoration of his father's assassination, marking its 10-year anniversary. He orchestrated a trial against her on charges of insanity (which necessitated a jury trial in Illinois) in a biased court that was so egregious, the public came to Mary's defense and turned against Robert.
And in the present-day, not much has changed. During George H.W. Bush's presidency, both of his sons garnered attention. George W. Bush became renowned for his partying lifestyle, while Neil Bush was taken to court by federal regulators over alleged violations of conflict-of-interest regulations and failure to intervene in regard to improper loans during his time as the director of Silverado Banking, Savings and Loan. However, he was permitted to reach a settlement out of court. And that is typically the pattern followed.
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Neil Bush testified on the second day of the House Banking, Finance & Urban Affairs Committee hearings regarding his involvement in the Silverado Banking and Savings and Loan's $1 billion collapse in Washington DC on May 23, 1990.
I have the ability to write articles on the daughters of all the presidents. According to Theodore Roosevelt, he faced a choice between being President or managing his attention-seeking 19-year-old daughter Alice Roosevelt. Ronald Reagan's daughter, Patti Davis, voiced her opposition to her father's administration, disclosed personal details in an autobiography, and even posed for Playboy.
If I wanted to, I could compile a book filled with unfortunate and scandalous stories about the presidents' troublesome relatives, particularly their sons. This task would be much simpler compared to investigating presidential archives, which often provide little or no revelations. However, the sons, who have limited representation in those archives, offer more inexpensive excitement. Perhaps my fan base would appreciate a lighthearted and fast-paced book before ultimately turning against me.
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President Joseph P. Biden, unlike his predecessor who tried to manipulate the Justice Department, upholds his commitment to equal justice by allowing the department to pursue anyone suspected of breaking the law, even his own son.