Officials in Scranton, Pennsylvania, are calling for Joe Biden’s name to be removed from a prominent expressway in his hometown following his controversial decision to pardon a federal judge convicted in a cash-for-kids scandal.
The pardon, which has sparked outrage in Biden’s birthplace, has led to renewed scrutiny of his legacy in the city.
Pennsylvania State Representative Brenda Pugh, a newly elected Republican, is leading the charge to strip Biden’s name from the Scranton expressway.
Celebrate Trump’s Historic 2024 Victory with the Exclusive Trump 47th President Collection!
Her demand comes in response to Biden’s pardon of former Luzerne County Judge Michael Conahan, who was convicted of profiting from sending juveniles to for-profit detention centers.
The case, widely condemned, resulted in thousands of juvenile sentences being overturned.
Pugh issued a strong statement criticizing the pardon. “Conahan’s conduct is forever a blight on Pennsylvania and is a slap in the face to the victims and their families who deserve justice to be served for his atrocious crimes,” Pugh wrote.
“His clemency places complicity and a stamp of approval on his behavior. Children are among the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians. This decision is nothing short of a travesty, and his clemency is a miscarriage of justice.”
Pugh emphasized the lasting impact of Conahan’s actions, noting that some children were incarcerated for minor offenses, such as jaywalking.
She highlighted that many of those affected by Conahan’s rulings are now adults grappling with the psychological scars of their wrongful imprisonment. “Some of these children are now living in mental prisons of their own, suffering because of Conahan’s deeds of self-fulfillment,” she said.
Conahan’s crimes led the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to dismiss nearly 4,000 juvenile cases.
The scandal, which involved kickbacks for sending children to for-profit facilities, has been described as one of the most egregious abuses of judicial power in the state’s history.
“Crimes against children are everlasting, and there is no escape from the irreparable damage these predators caused by their actions,” Pugh added, underscoring the severity of Conahan’s offenses.
The backlash to Biden’s pardon extends beyond Republican circles.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, also criticized the president’s decision, calling it a “travesty.”
Shapiro’s condemnation highlights the bipartisan disapproval of the pardon and its implications for justice in the state.
The Scranton expressway, named in honor of Biden for his contributions to the city and the nation, has now become a focal point for debate.
Critics argue that Biden’s decision undermines the principles of justice and accountability, especially given the lasting harm caused by Conahan’s actions.
Local leaders and residents are awaiting a response from Scranton officials regarding the calls to remove Biden’s name from the landmark.
The controversy underscores the growing divide over the president’s decision and its impact on his reputation in his hometown.
As public outrage continues to mount, the move to strip Biden’s name from the expressway represents a symbolic stand against the pardon, reflecting widespread frustration with what many see as a deeply flawed act of clemency.
.
