President Joe Biden has granted a formal pardon to his son Hunter, who is currently facing sentencing for two criminal cases, despite prior assurances that he would not intervene in Hunter’s legal matters.
“No reasonable person reviewing the facts of Hunter’s cases could come to any conclusion other than that he was singled out solely because he is my son – and that is wrong,” the president declared in a statement, describing it as “a miscarriage of justice.”
Donald Trump, the US President-elect, criticized Biden’s decision in a post on his TruthSocial platform.
“Does the pardon Joe gave to Hunter extend to the J-6 Hostages, some of whom have been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of justice!” he stated, referencing those convicted of storming the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, following Mr. Trump’s false claims of winning the 2020 election.
The clemency grant indicated that Biden had issued “a full and unconditional” pardon to Hunter for any offenses occurring between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024.
This action is likely to provoke renewed scrutiny regarding the independence of the US judicial system, particularly as president-elect Mr. Trump moves to appoint loyalists to critical positions in the FBI and Justice Department.
The younger Biden was found guilty earlier this year for lying about his drug use when acquiring a firearm – a felony – and has also pleaded guilty in a separate tax evasion case but has not yet been sentenced.
Joe Biden characterized his son’s impending sentencing as a ‘miscarriage of justice’
He was set to be sentenced on December 16.
“I have acknowledged and taken responsibility for my errors during the darkest times of my addiction – mistakes that have been used to publicly shame and humiliate me and my family for political gain,” Hunter stated yesterday, noting that he has remained sober for over five years.
“During my struggles with addiction, I wasted numerous opportunities and advantages… I will never take the clemency I have received today for granted and will dedicate my rebuilt life to assisting those who are still suffering.”
Mr. Biden had consistently stated he would refrain from pardoning his son.
“I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I honored my word even as I witnessed my son being unfairly and selectively prosecuted,” President Biden remarked in his statement.
“The charges against him arose only after several of my political adversaries in Congress instigated them to undermine me and oppose my election,” he added.
“I have faith in the justice system, but as I have grappled with this matter, I also believe raw politics have tainted this process, resulting in a miscarriage of justice,” he continued.
Mr. Biden indicated that he made his decision to grant the pardon over the recent weekend.
The president, along with his wife Jill Biden and their family, including Hunter, spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and returned to Washington on Saturday evening.
“Here’s the reality: I have faith in the justice system, yet as I wrestled with this issue, I also believe raw politics have corrupted this process, leading to a miscarriage of justice – once I made this decision over the weekend, there was no reason to postpone it further,” he shared.
“I hope that Americans will comprehend why a father and a president would arrive at this decision.”
Simultaneously, criminal proceedings against Mr. Trump have stalled following a comprehensive ruling on presidential immunity by the Supreme Court—essentially ensuring that Mr. Biden’s Republican rival will likely never face incarceration, even after his significant conviction for falsifying business records in May.
Plea deal that fell apart
Throughout history, US presidents have utilized pardons to assist family members and political allies.
Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother for past cocaine offenses, while Mr. Trump pardoned the father of his son-in-law for tax evasion, although in both instances, those individuals had already served their prison sentences.
Republicans have argued that Hunter Biden has received too lenient treatment
Hunter Biden pleaded guilty in a tax evasion trial in September, facing a potential sentence of up to 17 years. For the separate gun-related charge, he was looking at a possible 25-year sentence.
His attorneys claim he is only facing charges due to his father’s position as president.
Hunter Biden has paid the overdue taxes, along with the penalties imposed by authorities, and had previously negotiated a plea deal that would have kept him out of jail – however, that agreement collapsed at the last minute.
His case has long been a contentious issue for the Biden family, particularly during this election season when Republicans have accused Hunter Biden of receiving preferential treatment.
President Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris diminished much of the Republican fervor to target his son.
Nevertheless, prosecutors seemed unwilling to extend leniency, rejecting a proposed “Alford plea,” where Hunter Biden would acknowledge guilt due to the high likelihood of conviction but maintain his innocence.
