Joe Biden Grants 'Full and Unconditional' Pardon to Son Hunter

Joe Biden Grants 'Full and Unconditional' Pardon to Son Hunter.

President Joe Biden has granted a pardon to his son Hunter, who faced convictions related to firearm offenses and has admitted guilt in a federal tax evasion case.

In a statement released by the White House, the US president stated that he had given clemency to Hunter, who was due to be sentenced later this month on two separate criminal cases.

"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," he said.

"Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form.

"Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions.

"It is clear that Hunter was treated differently."

Hunter, aged 54, was found guilty of three firearm-related offenses in June, representing the inaugural criminal prosecution of a child of a sitting US president.

Prosecutors alleged that he provided false information on a form when purchasing a Colt Cobra revolver in October 2018, claiming he was neither a drug user nor an addict, despite his struggles with crack cocaine.

Two months later, Hunter entered a guilty plea regarding federal tax offenses. He was scheduled to face trial for criminal charges related to his failure to pay $1.4 million (£1.06 million) in taxes, during which he reportedly engaged in extravagant spending on drugs, sex workers, and luxury goods.

The "full and unconditional pardon" encompasses both the firearm-related charges and the federal tax evasion, for which Hunter was set to receive sentencing on December 12 and December 16, respectively.

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'Enough is enough'

President Biden further elaborated on the allegations facing Hunter in his statement stating that they "came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election".

The 82-year-old subsequently remarked on Hunter's plea agreement "agreed to by the Department of Justice, unravelled in the courtroom - with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process".

Acknowledging Hunter's struggle with addiction, the president remarked "No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son - and that is wrong.

"There has been an effort to break Hunter - who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution.

"In trying to break Hunter, they've tried to break me - and there's no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough."

A Reversal Of Position By The President

President Biden then stated "For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth. They'll be fair-minded."

He insisted "I believe in the justice system," but said he believes "raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice," before adding: "I hope Americans will understand why a father and a president would come to this decision."

The president's stance represents a significant reversal, as he had previously unequivocally dismissed the possibility of a pardon or commutation for his son.

This statement was made by President Biden to reporters while Hunter was undergoing trial in the Delaware gun case "I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him."

On 8 November, the day following Donald Trump's declaration as the victor of the 2024 election, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that a pardon or clemency for Hunter would not be considered.

"We've been asked that question multiple times," she said. "Our answer stands, which is no."

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Hunter characterized the cases as a form of 'political sport'.

In a distinct statement issued on Sunday, Hunter expressed that he has "admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction", but said those mistakes "have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport".

He added: "In recovery, we can be given the opportunity to make amends where possible and rebuild our lives if we never take for granted the mercy that we have been afforded.

"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."

In reaction to the pardon, Mr. Trump utilized Truth Social to advocate for the release of individuals incarcerated due to the events of January 6, posing a request "Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages (around 562 people jailed for taking part in the 2021 Capitol riots), who have now been imprisoned for years?

"Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!"

Donald Trump Jr also posted on X "Everyone knew he (President Biden) was going to do it. He was just going to do it when it was if no consequence to democrat electability."

President Joe Biden's decision to grant a full and unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter, reflects his commitment to justice and fairness. Biden has consistently maintained that his administration would not interfere with the judicial process, but believes Hunter’s case was politically motivated, with unfair treatment linked to his family ties.

By offering this pardon, Biden acknowledges his son's struggles with addiction and emphasizes that the prosecution was a result of political pressure. Biden's action reaffirms his dedication to upholding the rule of law while also protecting his family from what he perceives as unjust legal attacks.