Biden Pardons Son Hunter Amid Tax, Gun Convictions

President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, for federal tax and gun convictions, reversing his previous pledge not to intervene in the case.

President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who was set to be sentenced this month for federal tax and gun convictions. This move comes as Biden prepares to leave office, and the pardon cannot be overturned by President-elect Donald Trump.

According to a statement released by the White House on December 1, President Biden believes his son was unfairly targeted and prosecuted due to his family name. Hunter Biden was found guilty of three felony counts related to purchasing and possessing a firearm while struggling with addiction. He also pleaded guilty to nine tax-related charges, including three felonies, which could have led to up to 17 years in federal prison.

The pardon has sparked mixed reactions, with some criticizing President Biden for abusing his power and others defending his decision as a necessary move to protect his family. Hunter Biden expressed gratitude for the pardon, stating that he will devote his life to helping those struggling with addiction.

Hunter Biden was facing sentencing on December 16 for pleading guilty to federal tax evasion charges in September. However, in a surprise move, President Joe Biden granted his son a full and unconditional pardon for any offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024.

President Biden explained his decision in a statement, saying he believes in the justice system but also thinks “raw politics has infected this process” leading to a miscarriage of justice. He hopes Americans will understand why he made this decision as a father and President.

The pardon covers any offenses Hunter Biden may have committed or taken part in during the specified time period. This move has sparked mixed reactions, with some criticizing President Biden for abusing his power and others defending his decision as a necessary move to protect his family.

President Biden addressed his son Hunter's struggles with addiction in a statement on Sunday, criticizing his political opponents for targeting Hunter in an attempt to break him. Biden emphasized that his son's prosecution was unfair, stating, “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.”

Biden expressed frustration that his son was treated differently due to his family name, highlighting that people with similar offenses typically receive non-criminal resolutions. He also pointed out that the charges against Hunter were instigated by his political opponents in Congress, who sought to attack him and oppose his election.

In his statement, Biden defended his decision to pardon his son, emphasizing his commitment to telling the American people the truth. He stated, “For my entire career, I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth. They'll be fair-minded.”

“There has been an effort to break Hunter who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they've tried to break me and there's no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough.”

Hunter Biden released a statement following his pardon, expressing his gratitude and acknowledging his past mistakes. “I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction - mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport,” he said.

Despite the challenges he faced, Hunter emphasized his commitment to his sobriety and his appreciation for the support of his loved ones. “Despite all of this, I have maintained my sobriety for more than five years because of my deep faith and the unwavering love and support of my family and friends,” he added. Hunter also expressed his intention to devote his life to helping others struggling with addiction, stating that he will “never take the clemency I have been given today for granted.”

“In the throes of addiction, I squandered many opportunities and advantages. In recovery we can be given the opportunity to make amends where possible and rebuild our lives if we never take for granted the mercy that we have been afforded. 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.”

Steven Cheung, a spokesman for President-elect Donald Trump, has released a statement criticizing the justice system and the Democratic Party. According to Cheung, “The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proven that the Democrat-controlled DOJ and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system.”

Cheung emphasized the need for reform, stating that “That system of justice must be fixed and due process must be restored for all Americans, which is exactly what President Trump will do as he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people.”  This statement suggests that the Trump administration plans to address concerns about the justice system and ensure that all Americans receive fair treatment.