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In a historic and controversial move, President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he has granted a presidential pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, amidst ongoing legal battles and political scrutiny.
In a statement released shortly after the decision, President Biden defended his actions, calling the charges against Hunter a product of “raw politics” and “selective prosecution.”
“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,” President Biden said. “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.”
Hunter Biden faced charges related to misstatements on a gun purchase form and delayed tax payments, issues that President Biden argued are rarely pursued criminally in similar cases. “People are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form,” he stated.
President Biden also criticized the unraveling of a plea deal previously negotiated by the Department of Justice, claiming that political pressure from his opponents disrupted the legal process. “Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair, reasonable resolution of Hunter’s cases,” he said.
The President emphasized his belief in the justice system while expressing frustration at what he described as politically motivated attacks. “There has been an effort to break Hunter…and in trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me. Enough is enough.”
The pardon is expected to spark intense debate in Washington, with critics questioning the decision and allies praising Biden’s defense of his family. “I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision,” Biden concluded.
Former President Donald Trump took to social media, questioning the scope of the pardon. “Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” Trump wrote.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani also condemned the pardon, alleging deep corruption within the Biden family. “Biden, who will not even meet with his granddaughter Navy, didn’t pardon his son because he’s a good father. He did so because, as his son admits on the Hard Drive, for 30 years Hunter has given half the millions he’s collected to the Boss of the Crime Family—Joe Biden.”
Meanwhile, former Republican congressman and 2020 presidential candidate Joe Walsh criticized the pardon as a political misstep. “Joe Biden put self before country, and just pardoned his son. And that selfishness took the ‘no one is above the law’ argument against Trump off the table,” Walsh said, adding that Biden’s actions could further erode public trust.
Hunter Biden, the 54-year-old son of President Biden, has faced intense public and legal scrutiny in recent years, culminating in federal charges that have sparked heated political debate. His case has highlighted broader issues of justice, politics, and family loyalty at the highest levels of government.
Hunter Biden faced two primary legal battles: charges related to tax delinquency and a felony gun possession charge. Prosecutors alleged that he failed to pay federal income taxes on time and falsely declared on a 2018 gun purchase form that he was not using illegal drugs, despite battling addiction at the time.
While Hunter later repaid his back taxes, along with penalties and interest, federal prosecutors pursued criminal charges. This decision drew criticism from legal experts and advocates who argued such offenses are often resolved without prosecution.
In July 2023, Hunter Biden reached a plea deal with the Department of Justice. The agreement would have resolved his tax issues and granted him immunity from further prosecution related to the gun charge in exchange for probation. However, during a court hearing, the deal unraveled after a judge raised concerns about its scope and fairness.
Subsequently, federal prosecutors withdrew the deal, leaving Hunter vulnerable to further legal challenges.
Hunter Biden’s legal issues have become a flashpoint for Republicans, who accuse the Justice Department of showing favoritism. GOP lawmakers have launched investigations into the Biden family’s business dealings, alleging corruption, though no direct evidence implicates the President.
Meanwhile, Democrats argue Hunter Biden is being unfairly targeted because of his father’s position, pointing to his five years of sobriety and efforts to rebuild his life.
