Joe Biden pardons son Hunter over gun and tax charges

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Joe Biden has granted a pardon to his son Hunter Biden for his gun and tax convictions, marking a surprising change from his earlier commitment not to take this action just a few weeks before he finishes his presidential term.

In a statement released on Sunday night, which drew criticism from both opponents and some supporters, the US president claimed that his political rivals in Congress were "provoking" the accusations against Hunter Biden as a way to target him.

Joe Biden stated, "Any sensible individual examining the details of Hunter's situation would inevitably conclude that he is being targeted solely due to our family connection—and that is unjust."

"Since I first took office, I promised not to meddle in the decisions of the justice department, and I have stuck to that promise, even as I've seen my son being targeted and treated unfairly in the legal system," the president stated.

The president's choice sparked a strong backlash from the Trump campaign, Republicans, and certain Democrats. Jared Polis, Colorado's Democratic governor, expressed on X, "This sets a dangerous example that future presidents could misuse, and unfortunately, it will reflect poorly on [Joe Biden]."

Hunter Biden's legal issues have posed a political challenge for Joe Biden since he won the election in 2020, particularly after his son revealed that he was being investigated by federal authorities.

In June of this year, he was found guilty on three felony charges for providing false information on a federal background check while buying a handgun. The trial included extensive testimony regarding his addiction to crack cocaine and his romantic involvement with his brother's widow.

Last month, Hunter Biden admitted to tax-related offenses in a federal court in Los Angeles. He faced allegations of avoiding $1.4 million in taxes, partly by making questionable business deductions. Reportedly, he used some of the money to pay for cars, drugs, and escorts.

The president has made several comments backing his son, but he has also stated that he won't grant him a pardon.

Hunter Biden was scheduled to receive his sentence on December 12 in Delaware for the gun-related charges, and four days later, he was set to face sentencing in California for the tax charges.

According to prosecutors during his indictment, he could potentially receive up to 25 years in prison for the gun-related charges. The tax offenses could lead to a maximum of 17 years behind bars. Nonetheless, the actual sentences in both matters were expected to be less harsh.

Joe Biden's pardon for his son covers all offenses "that he has committed, might have committed, or been involved in" from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024. This will protect him from any future legal actions during this timeframe initiated by the Justice Department under Trump.

On Sunday evening, Biden stated that the legal challenges against Hunter were an attempt to undermine him. He also mentioned that he made the choice to grant his son a pardon over the weekend.

"Throughout my career, I've upheld a straightforward belief: always be honest with the American people. They will respond fairly," Biden stated.

Here’s the reality: I have faith in the justice system, but as I've thought about this, I've come to realize that political influence has tainted the process, resulting in a failure of justice.

Steven Cheung, who serves as Donald Trump's communications director, indicated that Joe Biden's actions reinforced Trump's allegations about a justice system driven by political motives. Cheung stated, "The unsuccessful investigations targeting president-elect Trump have shown that the Justice Department, controlled by Democrats, along with other extreme prosecutors, are responsible for using the justice system as a weapon."

Republican Congressman James Comer, who heads the House Oversight Committee, accused Joe Biden of being dishonest when he stated that he would not grant a pardon to his son.

In a recent statement, Hunter Biden expressed that he has "acknowledged and accepted accountability" for the "errors made during the most challenging times of my addiction — errors that have been used to publicly embarrass and shame both me and my family for political gain."

The president's son promised that he would always appreciate the mercy he received today and pledged to dedicate his life to assisting those who are still unwell and in pain.

David Weiss, a special counsel appointed by US Attorney General Merrick Garland, has been in charge of both cases related to Hunter Biden due to the "unusual circumstances" surrounding the legal proceedings.

Garland appointed special prosecutors to investigate Joe Biden's management of classified documents and Trump's supposed interference in the 2020 election, as well as his possession of classified materials. In the end, Joe Biden faced no charges, while the Department of Justice aimed to drop the charges against Trump due to an internal policy that prevents the prosecution of a sitting president.