PA Lawmakers Call For Removal of 'Biden Expy' Name After Pardon Controversy
Several Pennsylvania lawmakers are calling for the removal of President Joe Biden's name from a local freeway after his controversial pardon of former judge Michael Conahan. The calls come after Biden granted clemency to Conahan, who was convicted for his role in the 2008 “kids-for-cash” scandal, which led to the abuse and mistreatment of juvenile offenders.
According to Fox News, The debate has gained traction as local officials, particularly from Scranton, demand the reversal of the 2021 renaming of a freeway to honor Biden, following his controversial decision to pardon Conahan, a judge convicted for his role in the “kids-for-cash” scandal.
The Renaming Controversy
In 2021, officials renamed a freeway spur to honor President Joe Biden, calling it "President Biden Expressway" and "Biden Avenue." Scranton, Biden's hometown, initiated this renaming as part of a broader effort to celebrate his legacy. However, many criticized the decision to rename the street after Biden pardoned Michael Conahan.
Biden granted clemency to Conahan, who was convicted in 2008 for accepting kickbacks to send juveniles to private, for-profit prisons. Conahan’s involvement in the “kids-for-cash” scandal inflicted lasting harm on thousands of young people, including some who faced convictions for minor offenses like jaywalking. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court later dismissed over 4,000 convictions related to the scandal, but the community still suffers from its impact.
Lawmakers Demand Action
State Representative Jamie Walsh, a Republican from Dallas, has led the charge to reverse the renaming of the freeway. Walsh criticized Biden’s decision to pardon Conahan, calling it a failure of justice. He argued that the pardon sent the wrong message about corruption and public officials, especially when considering the grave impact on the victims of Conahan's actions.
"The children affected by Conahan’s actions of nearly 15 years ago are now adults suffering in their own ‘mental’ prisons due to his deeds of self-fulfillment," Walsh said. "Crimes against children are everlasting, and there is no escape from the irreparable damage these predators caused by their actions."
State Representative-elect Brenda Pugh, also a Republican from Luzerne, voiced her opposition, calling Biden’s clemency a "miscarriage of justice." She argued that the renaming of the expressway now serves as a permanent reminder of the scandal. "The 'President Biden Expressway' will now serve as a permanent reminder of this scandal," Pugh said.
Political Reactions to the Pardon
State Senator Doug Mastriano, a Republican from Gettysburg, joined the criticism, describing Biden's pardon as "embarrassing" and part of a broader pattern of questionable political actions. "He's a failed president who couldn't help himself to pardon his corrupt criminal son from so many illegal schemes," Mastriano said, adding that Biden’s name should be removed from the highway.
Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak also spoke out, condemning the renaming. He argued that Biden’s clemency had tarnished the city's reputation and called for the restoration of the street’s original name, "Spruce Street." "This [pardon] has brought significant negative attention to Scranton, tarnishing the city's reputation and reflecting poorly on Lackawanna County as a whole," Chermak said.
Mayor’s Response to the Calls for Change
Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, who supported the renaming of the street in 2021, acknowledged the painful history tied to Conahan’s actions but maintained that calls to reverse the renaming were politically motivated. "This was a grave error," Cognetti said about Biden’s commutation, which reopened "deep and horrific" wounds for the people of Scranton and northeastern Pennsylvania.
Despite this, Cognetti defended the renaming as a way to honor Biden's legacy. She pointed out that Biden’s clemency decision was unfortunate, but it should not diminish his positive contributions to Scranton and the nation. "We are proud of our connection to President Biden," she said, noting that the renaming was part of a broader effort to celebrate his rise from Scranton to the White House.
Governor Josh Shapiro, who has expressed disappointment over the clemency, weighed in on the issue as well. He criticized the pardon as a decision that caused significant pain in the community. "I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in northeastern Pennsylvania," Shapiro said. He added that the "kids-for-cash" scandal had affected families in deep and lasting ways.
The Broader Debate on Pardon Powers
The controversy has highlighted the complexities surrounding the president's pardon power. While many political figures in Pennsylvania have called for the removal of Biden’s name from the streets, others argue that the renaming should stand as a tribute to Biden’s historical legacy. Mayor Cognetti emphasized the need to separate Biden’s presidential actions from the individual actions of Conahan.
"This was just the stuff that you think a screenwriter couldn't make up — how systemic and how deep that scandal went," Cognetti said, reflecting on the depth of the corruption involved in the “kids-for-cash” scandal.
While there has been significant local opposition to the naming, Cognetti remained firm in her support for the renaming. She reiterated that Scranton takes pride in Biden’s connection to the city and views the renaming as an important way to honor his rise to the presidency.
Community Divided Over the Renaming
The debate over the renaming has divided the Scranton community. Some residents believe that reversing the street renaming is necessary to restore justice and reflect the city's values, while others argue that it would unfairly diminish Biden's legacy. The controversy underscores the challenges of balancing a public figure's political achievements with the actions of individuals associated with their legacy.
For many in Scranton, the issue is deeply personal. The city's connection to Biden, who rose from humble beginnings to become the president, is a source of pride. However, the recent clemency decision has reopened old wounds from the "kids-for-cash" scandal, leaving the community grappling with the complex intersection of justice and historical recognition.
As the debate continues, officials remain uncertain about what action they will take regarding the freeway naming. The community remains divided, and local officials continue to weigh the best course of action moving forward.
The fate of the street name remains uncertain, but the ongoing discussion is a reminder of how deeply past actions and public decisions can impact a community’s identity and legacy.