The Daily Star Ireland
President Joe Biden has issued an official pardon for his son Hunter, who faces sentencing for two criminal cases, despite previously assuring that he would not intervene in his legal issues.
In his statement, President Biden asserted that no reasonable person could conclude that Hunter was targeted for any reason other than being his son, calling it a miscarriage of justice.
President-elect Donald Trump criticized the pardon on his TruthSocial site, questioning whether it extended to the individuals imprisoned for storming the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Representative James Comer, chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, accused President Biden of lying about his family’s corrupt activities.
The pardon grants Hunter Biden full and unconditional clemency for any offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. This decision is expected to raise questions about the independence of the US judicial system, especially as President-elect Trump plans to appoint loyalists to the FBI and Justice Department.
Earlier this year, Hunter Biden was convicted of lying about his drug use when purchasing a gun and pleaded guilty to tax evasion, though he had not yet been sentenced. He was scheduled for sentencing on December 16.
Hunter Biden expressed remorse for his actions during his addiction, stating that he had been sober for over five years and would dedicate his life to helping others.
Despite previously stating he would not pardon his son, President Biden justified his decision, stating that the charges resulted from political opponents’ efforts to undermine his election. He emphasized his belief in the justice system but felt that politics had compromised the process, leading to a miscarriage of justice.
President Biden decided on the pardon over the weekend, following Thanksgiving with his family, including Hunter, in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
President Biden reiterated his belief in the justice system but emphasized that political influence had tainted the process, compelling him to act without delay. He hoped Americans would understand his decision as both a father and president.
Meanwhile, criminal cases against President-elect Trump have stalled due to a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, likely preventing him from serving jail time despite his conviction for falsifying business records.
Presidents have previously used pardons for family members and political allies. Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother for cocaine charges, and Trump pardoned his son-in-law’s father for tax evasion, though both had already served their sentences.
Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to tax evasion in September, facing up to 17 years in prison, and faced an additional 25 years for the gun charge. His lawyers argued he was only prosecuted because he is the president’s son. He has since paid his back taxes and penalties and had initially reached a plea deal that would have kept him out of jail, but it fell apart.
Hunter Biden’s case has been a significant issue for the Biden family, particularly during the election year, with Republicans accusing him of receiving lenient treatment. President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris diminished the Republican efforts to use Hunter’s case politically.
Prosecutors, however, rejected a plea deal that would have allowed Hunter to admit guilt while maintaining his innocence, indicating their unwillingness to offer leniency.
