President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of tax evasion and federal gun charges and is expected to be sentenced in December.
Despite assurances last month from the White House that the president had no plans to pardon his son, the announcement was made Sunday evening that he had pardoned him.
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, leaves court after pleading guilty in his tax evasion trial in Los Angeles, September 5, 2024.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
In a statement, he said, “Today I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” for what he called a “miscarriage of justice.”
“From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the decision-making of the Department of Justice, and I kept my word even though I saw my son being prosecuted for selective and unfair manner,” he wrote.
President Biden also mentioned “political opponents in Congress,” whom he credited for bringing the charges forward and ensuring that a plea deal, reached in July, failed in August.
The statement concluded: “Here’s the truth: I believe in the justice system, but as I have fought against it, I also believe that crude politics has infected this process and led to a miscarriage of justice – and once I I made this decision this weekend. , it made no sense to delay things further. I hope Americans understand why a father and a president would make this decision. »
Over the summer, a jury found the younger Biden guilty of three counts related to his purchase and possession of a gun while he was a drug addict. And in September, Hunter Biden agreed to plead guilty to nine tax-related charges, including three felonies, on the eve of what was expected to be a long and grueling trial.
For the tax charges, Hunter Biden faces up to 17 years in federal prison and a $1.35 million fine. His gun conviction carried a potential of up to 25 years in prison.
Hunter Biden was scheduled to be sentenced in both cases in the coming weeks — Dec. 12 for the gun charges in Delaware and Dec. 16 for the tax charges in California.
Hunter Biden leaves federal court after a plea hearing on two misdemeanor charges of willful failure to pay income taxes in Wilmington, Del., July 26, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters, FILE
Asked about the president’s intentions to pardon Hunter Biden on November 7, shortly after the election results favored Donald Trump, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “We were asked this question at several times. Our answer stands, which is no.
She declined to comment on any other pardons the president might issue before the end of his term, including administration officials or people threatened with legal action by President-elect Donald Trump.
President Biden also previously told ABC News’ David Muir that he had no plans to pardon his son, during an interview in June.
He then declared that he would accept the results of the trial.
During a White House briefing in June, President Biden also said: “I am extremely proud of my son Hunter. He overcame addiction. He is… he is one of the most brilliant and most honest people I know.”
He added: “I said I would respect the jury’s decision, and I will. And I will not forgive them.”
President Joe Biden, accompanied by Hunter Biden, exits a bookstore in downtown Nantucket, Massachusetts, November 29, 2024.
Craig Hudson/Reuters
Hunter Biden was seen vacationing with his family in Nantucket last week.
He released a statement on Sunday saying: “I admitted and took responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction – mistakes that were exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family. for political sport purposes. Despite all of this, I maintained my sobriety for over five years thanks to my deep faith and the unwavering love and support of my family and friends. In the grip of addiction, I wasted many opportunities and advantages. In recovery, we may have the opportunity to make amends where possible and rebuild our lives if we never take for granted the mercy we have been given. »
The statement continued: “I will never take for granted the clemency granted to me today and will dedicate the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”
Less than an hour after President Biden’s pardon, Hunter Biden’s legal team filed perfunctory notices with the courts in both criminal cases. The lawyers wrote: “The President’s pardon raises the issue of Mr. Biden’s pending and yet unpronounced conviction and entry into trial in this case and requires an automatic dismissal of the indictment with prejudice. »
