Biden Pardons Son Hunter Amid Controversy: The Full Story
Biden pardons son Hunter before leaving office, despite vowing not to
President Joe Biden has granted a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, alleviating him from jail time related to federal felony gun and tax convictions, a decision that contradicts earlier statements in which he ruled out such a pardon. The president characterized the prosecution as politically motivated and a “miscarriage of justice,” asserting that Hunter was targeted due to their familial connection.
This announcement follows Hunter’s guilty plea to tax-related charges and comes just before his scheduled sentencing, with potential maximum sentences of 17 years for tax offenses and up to 25 years for gun charges, although lighter sentences are expected. Biden expressed hope that the public would understand his decision, made after spending Thanksgiving with his family, and reiterated his commitment to supporting those facing similar challenges.
Key Concepts
- President Joe Biden granted his son Hunter Biden a pardon for federal felony gun and tax convictions.
- The pardon contradicts President Biden’s earlier statements about not using presidential powers for family benefit.
- Hunter Biden was facing sentence for his convictions in Delaware and California.
- The president described the prosecution of Hunter as politically motivated and a miscarriage of justice.
- Biden’s decision was influenced by a recent Thanksgiving gathering with Hunter and his family.
- White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had previously ruled out the possibility of a pardon for Hunter.
- Hunter Biden faced trial for failing to pay over $1.4 million in taxes and opted to plead guilty to avoid further family distress.
- The potential maximum sentences for Hunter’s tax and gun charges could total up to 42 years, but he may receive a lighter sentence.
- Biden expressed gratitude for the support he has received and pledged to help others facing similar challenges.
- A representative for the special prosecutor involved in Hunter’s case did not comment on the pardon.
President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter on Sunday night, sparing the younger Biden from jail time for federal felony gun and tax convictions while also reversing past promises not to use the president’s special powers to benefit his family.
The Democratic president had said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence following Hunter’s convictions in two cases in Delaware and California. Biden’s move comes weeks before Hunter Biden is set to be punished after being convicted in a gun trial and pleading guilty to tax charges, and less than two months after President-elect Donald Trump returned to the White House.
It caps a long legal saga for the president’s son. Hunter publicly disclosed in December 2020 that he was under federal investigation, a month after Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
Biden flatly ruled out a pardon or commutation for his son in June, telling reporters, “I abide by the jury’s decision. I’m going to do that, and I’m not going to pardon him.” At the time, his son was facing trial in the Delaware gun case.
Just days after Trump’s victory on November 8, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre ruled out a pardon or clemency for Biden Jr., saying, “We’ve been asked this question many times. Our answer remains, no.”
Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House Sunday evening, calling the prosecution of his son politically motivated and a “miscarriage of justice.”
“The charges in his case came after several of my political opponents in Congress incited them to attack me and oppose my election,” Biden said. “Any reasonable person who has looked at the facts of Hunter’s case would conclude that Hunter was singled out simply because he is my son.”
“I hope the American people understand why a father and a president made this decision,” Biden added. He said the decision was made this weekend. President Biden spent Thanksgiving with Hunter and his family in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Hunter Biden was convicted of three felonies by a federal court in Delaware in June. Prosecutors allege Hunter lied on a federal form when he bought a gun in 2018, claiming he had no illegal use or addiction to drugs.
In September, he was scheduled to go to trial in the California case that accused him of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. But hours after jury selection began, he unexpectedly agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor and felony charges.
Hunter Biden said he pleaded guilty in that case to spare his family more pain and embarrassment as details of his battle with cocaine addiction came to light during his gun trial.
The tax charges carry a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison, and the gun charges carry a maximum sentence of 25 years. However, federal sentencing guidelines are expected to call for much less, and it is possible he could avoid jail time altogether.
In an emailed statement, Hunter Biden said he would never take the relief he has received for granted and vowed to dedicate the life he has rebuilt to “helping those who are still sick and suffering.”
“I acknowledge and take responsibility for the mistakes I made during the worst days of my addiction—mistakes that were used to publicly shame and disgrace me and my family for political purposes,” Biden Jr. said.
A spokesman for special prosecutor David Weiss, who brought the case, did not respond to a message seeking comment Sunday evening.
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