In a dramatic reversal of earlier assurances, President Joe Biden announced Sunday night that he has issued a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, ahead of Hunter's sentencing for federal gun and tax offenses. The announcement has sparked widespread debate, with Biden citing fairness and political motivations behind his decision.
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,” President Biden said in a statement.
The pardon covers an 11-year period from January 2014 to December 2024, absolving Hunter Biden of potential crimes linked to his business dealings and personal conduct. This includes the period during which Hunter served on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings, a role that has been at the center of Republican investigations.
Biden’s move comes just weeks before he is set to leave office, with President-elect Donald Trump poised to begin his second term. Facing mounting scrutiny from congressional Republicans and Special Counsel investigations, the decision underscores the president’s belief that his son was unfairly targeted due to his family name.
Hunter Biden Responds
Hunter Biden, who had faced charges for failing to pay over $1.4 million in taxes and falsely claiming he was not a drug addict on federal gun forms, expressed gratitude for the pardon.
“I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction,” Hunter Biden said in a statement. “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.”
Republican Criticism and Investigations
Republicans swiftly condemned the pardon, pointing to the findings of their impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden. That inquiry revealed $27 million in payments to Hunter Biden and his business associates from foreign sources between 2014 and 2019. Republicans also alleged misconduct by Justice Department officials in handling the case.
“Today’s pardon is further evidence of how the Biden family has been shielded from accountability,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement.
A Legacy of Controversy
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles, including the collapse of an initial plea deal and subsequent guilty plea to tax charges, had become a political liability for the president. Judges in both Delaware and California rejected claims from Hunter’s attorneys that he was the victim of selective prosecution.
The Justice Department, under Special Counsel David Weiss, had aggressively pursued charges against Hunter Biden, including a jury conviction in June for firearm-related offenses. Meanwhile, Republicans argued that federal law enforcement obstructed the investigation and accused Biden allies of pressuring social media companies to censor reporting on Hunter Biden's business dealings during the 2020 election.
Democratic Defense
Democrats defended the president’s decision, arguing it highlighted the Biden family’s commitment to fairness and justice, even under intense political pressure.
“This is a father acting in the best interest of his son while acknowledging the broader flaws in our justice system,” said Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), a close Biden ally.
Trump Administration's Response
The pardon also comes amid ongoing legal battles involving former President Donald Trump. Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, accused Democrats of weaponizing the justice system but did not directly address Biden’s decision to pardon his son.
What’s Next for Biden?
As his presidency winds down, Joe Biden is set to travel to Angola, where he is expected to avoid press questions about the pardon. His decision to step aside from the Democratic race earlier this year, citing concerns about his mental fitness and party unity, has left his legacy under intense scrutiny.
Despite White House assurances as recently as last month that a pardon for Hunter Biden was not under consideration, Biden’s final act as president has ensured that his son will not face further legal jeopardy.
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