In a controversial and unprecedented move, U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a full and unconditional pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing in two criminal cases. The announcement, made on Sunday evening, marks a dramatic reversal for the president, who had previously vowed not to interfere in his son’s legal battles.
In a statement, President Biden defended the decision, asserting that Hunter had been “singled out” and that the legal proceedings against him were politically motivated. “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 watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,” Biden said. “Politics has infected this process, and it led to a miscarriage of justice.”
Hunter Biden, 54, had pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud charges in September and was convicted in June for illegally possessing a firearm while struggling with drug addiction. He was the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be convicted of a crime. His sentencing for both cases had been scheduled for December, with potential prison terms totaling over 40 years—up to 17 years for tax fraud and 25 years for the gun charges.
The pardon follows earlier statements from the White House indicating that clemency for Hunter Biden was off the table. As recently as September, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated that the president would not intervene. However, Biden said that after careful reflection over the weekend, he decided there was “no sense in delaying it further.”
“I hope Americans will understand why a father and a president would come to this decision,” Biden said, emphasizing that his son’s legal troubles had been weaponized for political gain.
In a heartfelt reaction, Hunter Biden expressed gratitude for the pardon, acknowledging his past mistakes during what he described as the darkest period of his life. “My mistakes were exploited to humiliate and shame my family for political sport,” Hunter said. “I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote my life to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”
Hunter also highlighted that he has been sober for over five and a half years, a point his father reiterated in his statement.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles have cast a long shadow over President Biden’s administration and political career. The cases became a focal point of criticism from Republican opponents and conservative media, often used to question the president’s integrity and judgment.
The pardon comes at a politically sensitive time, as President Biden recently withdrew from the 2024 presidential race, citing personal and political reasons. His decision to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate did little to sway voters, and Harris ultimately lost the November election to Republican Donald Trump.
Trump, who will assume office on January 20, 2025, has already indicated that investigations into the Biden family’s business dealings and Hunter’s legal cases may continue under his administration. The pardon, however, shields Hunter Biden from further federal prosecution related to these charges.
While the president’s decision has drawn praise from some supporters who view it as an act of compassion, critics have labeled it an abuse of executive power. Legal experts and political analysts anticipate that the pardon will remain a contentious issue, potentially setting the tone for Biden’s final weeks in office and shaping the legacy of his presidency.
