Good morning.

Over the weekend, President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter, despite previous promises that he would not do so. The Tribune Editorial Board disagrees with the president's decision in its piece today and writes about how it will stain his legacy after he leaves office.

Our foreign affairs columnist Daniel DePetris also writes about a big news event that happened over the weekend in Syria. The Syrian civil war is now over 13 years old and this weekend rebel forces retook Aleppo, reigniting a conflict many have not thought about in a while. DePetris writes that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s allies — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah — are preoccupied with their own conflicts with Ukraine, Israel and the West and might no longer have the resources to help Assad. What does this mean for the future of the Assad regime?

Also in commentary today, a first-time voter from rural Minnesota chastises both presidential campaigns for failing to address the most pressing issues facing her community. Plus, former Illinois Lieutenant Gov. Bob Kustra writes about a recent visit the hosts of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” paid to Donald Trump after he won the election.

Lastly, one reader calls out President Joe Biden and other Democrats who supported him remaining in the race for president instead of encouraging a Democratic primary. Read all of today’s letters to the editor here.

Thanks for reading.

— Grace Miserocchi, opinion editor

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