Washington DC [US], December 2: US President Joe Biden on Sunday issued a pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, effectively nullifying his convictions on gun-related and tax violation charges. The pardon ensures that Hunter Biden avoids sentencing and eliminates the possibility of prison time.
In a statement, President Biden defended his decision, arguing that cases involving tax issues due to addiction or errors in firearm forms typically result in non-criminal resolutions. He maintained that Hunter’s prosecution was selective and driven by political motives.
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son, Hunter. I have always pledged not to interfere with the Justice Department’s decisions, and I have kept my word. However, the treatment of Hunter’s case was different from how similar cases are handled. Without aggravating factors such as use in a crime or straw purchasing, people are almost never charged with felonies for how they fill out a gun form. Tax issues linked to addiction are generally resolved without criminal charges once the payments are made with interest and penalties. It is clear Hunter was treated differently,” Biden said in the statement.
The President also alleged that political opponents in Congress influenced the prosecution to target Hunter due to his connection to him. Biden revealed that an initial plea deal negotiated with the Department of Justice unraveled in court under political pressure.
“The charges came after political opponents in Congress instigated them to undermine my presidency. A fair plea deal, agreed upon by the Department of Justice, was derailed in court due to political interference. Hunter was targeted because he is my son, and that is wrong,” Biden added.
Hunter Biden was convicted earlier this year for illegally purchasing and possessing a firearm and pleaded guilty to tax violations involving USD 1.4 million in unpaid taxes. His extravagant spending on escorts, drugs, and luxury items during this period came under scrutiny.
President Biden further criticized the process as politically motivated, calling it a “miscarriage of justice.” He concluded by stating his belief in the justice system but emphasized that politics had compromised the legal process.
“No reasonable person can examine the facts and deny that Hunter was singled out because of me. For five and a half years, he has been sober despite relentless attacks. This effort to break Hunter has been an attempt to break me. Enough is enough,” Biden stated.
The pardon comes as President Biden prepares to leave office, with President-elect Donald Trump set to begin his second term in January 2025. Notably, this pardon cannot be reversed by the incoming administration.
According to CNN, Hunter Biden was convicted in June on firearm charges and later pleaded guilty to tax violations in September. The trial exposed his struggles with addiction and personal issues, which were central to the case.
