White House defends Hunter Biden pardon amid backlash

The White House has stood by President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter, despite previously stating that he had no intention of using his executive power to do so.

The press secretary announced that Biden had granted a pardon to his son, who was scheduled to be sentenced later this month in two federal cases. This move was intended to protect him from possible attacks by the political opponents of the outgoing president.

The broad pardon encompasses any possible federal offenses that 54-year-old Hunter might have committed during the last ten years.

Republicans have strongly criticized the decision, with Donald Trump, who is set to become president, referring to it as "a misuse and failure of justice."

On Monday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed reporters that Biden struggled with the decision during his family's Thanksgiving getaway on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, over the weekend.

The Democratic president granted the pardon on Sunday night before departing for an official visit to Africa.

Ms. Jean-Pierre spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One while heading to Angola, stating, "He has faith in the legal system, but he is also convinced that political influences tainted the process, resulting in a failure of justice."

Ms. Jean-Pierre stated that President Biden feels Hunter has been targeted due to his identity, and that "the president's adversaries will keep pursuing his son."

"This is the reason behind the president's decision," she continued. Just last month, Ms. Jean-Pierre was informing reporters that Biden would not grant a pardon to his son.

In June, Hunter Biden made history as the first child of a current US president to receive a criminal conviction. A jury in Delaware determined that he was guilty on three counts for falsely stating his drug use on a form while purchasing a handgun.

In September, he admitted to federal tax offenses that involved not filing or paying his taxes, evading taxes, and submitting a fraudulent return.

The forgiveness granted includes any possible federal violations he might have committed from January 2014 to December 2024, extending the timeline beyond just the tax and firearms issues.

This goes back to the year he joined the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, during a period when his father, who was the US vice president at the time, played an important part in shaping American policy towards Ukraine.

This summer, a congressional investigation claimed that Biden was not truthful when he said he had no connection to his son's business affairs, although the push for impeachment by Republican lawmakers ultimately lost momentum. Biden has insisted that he did nothing wrong.

On Monday, from the White House, First Lady Jill Biden expressed her backing for her son's pardon, stating, "I definitely support my son's pardon."

The president's choice ignited strong anger from Trump and other leading Republicans, who have consistently claimed that the Biden administration is using the justice system as a tool against their opponents.

House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson expressed that "the trust in our justice system has been nearly destroyed due to the actions of the Bidens and their misuse of it."

James Comer, the chairman of the House oversight committee, stated that Biden had been dishonest throughout regarding his family's activities related to corrupt influence peddling.

Democrats, who have frequently alleged that Trump ignores the law, were less vocal in their criticism this time.

Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado expressed on X, which was previously known as Twitter, that President Biden prioritized personal interests over his responsibilities, which deepens the skepticism among Americans regarding the fairness and equality of the justice system.

Congressman Greg Stanton, a Democrat from Arizona, dismissed President Biden’s assertion that the situation was unjust.

"He emphasized that this wasn’t a prosecution driven by political motives. Hunter broke the law and was found guilty by a jury made up of his fellow citizens."

Neama Rahmani, an ex-federal prosecutor, expressed to the BBC that he thought Biden had given false information to the American public.

Mr. Rahmani stated that President Biden was not being honest when he claimed he would not grant a pardon to his son.

From the start, the intention was to grant a pardon. However, President Biden deceived the American public, as he and Kamala Harris were caught up in an election campaign.

According to Mr. Rahmani, Trump won't have the authority to overturn the pardon given by the president before him when he assumes office in January.

He stated that the president has complete authority to grant pardons to individuals.

Mr. Rahmani stated that there is no action that Donald Trump or the Republicans can take to prevent it.