President Joe Biden issued a full pardon for his son Hunter Biden’s crimes on Sunday night after he was convicted of felony gun and tax charges, despite President Biden’s previous promise not to pardon him.
Biden claimed that Hunter was unjustly targeted because of their relationship but did not deny his guilt in the felony gun and tax convictions.
“No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son – and that is wrong,” said Biden.
“Once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further. I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision,” Biden added.
Hunter has been convicted on three felony gun charges after he lied on a 2018 firearm application, along with nine federal tax charges.
He has also faced scrutiny for his time working with the Ukraine-based company Burisma Holdings and his business deals with China.
The pardon extends past the crimes of which Hunter has been convicted.
Biden also granted a blanket pardon for any crimes Hunter may have committed between January 2014 and the date of the pardon, sparing him any future convictions based on his suspect business ventures.
“A Full and Unconditional Pardon for those offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024,” said Biden
Hunter responded to the pardon, claiming that he will use his newfound clemency to help people struggling with drug addiction.
“I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering,” said Hunter.
President-elect Donald Trump responded to Biden’s pardon, calling attention to the numerous people languishing in prison after the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
“Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice,” said President Trump on Truth Social.
Before the election, Trump said that he would consider pardoning Hunter himself once he takes office.
Numerous news outlets and social media personalities were quick to criticize Biden for his decision to pardon Hunter.
One of Biden’s X posts from May, where he claimed “No one is above the law,” even received a community note pointing out his decision to pardon his son.
Social media users blasted Biden for his previous promise that he would not issue a presidential pardon for Hunter.
“I’m extremely proud of my son Hunter. He has overcome an addiction, he’s one of the brightest, most decent men I know, and I am satisfied that, I’m not going to do anything. I said I’d abide by the jury decision, and I will do that, and I will not pardon him,” said Biden.
Biden promised not to pardon his son shortly after he was convicted of the felony gun charges in June, but that promise was made while he was still running for president and had an interest in appearing unbiased to the public.
That incentive diminished after he was ousted as the Democratic presidential nominee by Vice President Kamala Harris and evaporated after Trump won on November 5.
Nevertheless, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre continued to affirm, as recently as November 7, that Biden would adhere to his promise not to pardon Hunter.
“We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no,” said Jean-Pierre when asked if Biden would pardon his son.
Biden did not address his promise not to pardon Hunter in his statement granting his son clemency.
Biden’s decision even drew criticism from some Democrats, including Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.).
“I respect President Biden, but I think he got this one wrong. This wasn’t a politically-motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies, and was convicted by a jury of his peers,” said Rep. Stanton on X.
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