Biden Pardons Son Hunter, Sparks Outcry amid Political Tensions

The decision, which followed Hunter's guilty plea to tax violations and a firearms-related conviction, drew sharp criticism from Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden declared in a statement, "Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. 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."

The White House had previously emphasized that Biden would not intervene in Hunter's legal issues. Hunter Biden, a recovering drug addict, had faced intense scrutiny from Republicans, particularly Trump and his allies.

"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," Biden added, speaking before departing for a trip to Africa.

The clemency grant specified a "full and unconditional" pardon for Hunter Biden covering offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024.

Hunter Biden had been scheduled for sentencing this month on firearms charges and for failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes while leading a lavish lifestyle involving drugs, sex workers, and luxury purchases. His sentencing was slated for December 16.

In a statement on Sunday, Hunter Biden acknowledged his past mistakes. "I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction – mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport," he said, noting he has remained sober for over five years.

Hunter pledged to dedicate his renewed life to helping others struggling with addiction. "I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted," he said.

Republicans swiftly condemned the pardon. Trump criticized Biden's move on Truth Social, questioning, "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!"

Representative James Comer, chair of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, accused the president of dishonesty, stating, "Joe Biden has lied from start to finish about his family's corrupt influence peddling activities."

Biden defended his decision, asserting that Hunter was treated unfairly due to political motivations. He argued that cases like Hunter's typically result in non-criminal resolutions.

"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," Biden said.

The controversy stemmed in part from the collapse of a plea deal in August 2023, which Hunter Biden's lawyers said would have fairly resolved his legal issues. Biden expressed regret over the deal’s failure, calling it "a fair, reasonable resolution."

Biden explained his decision came after careful reflection over the Thanksgiving weekend spent with his family, including Hunter, in Nantucket, Massachusetts.

"Here's the truth: I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice," Biden said. "Once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further."

"I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision," he concluded.

Trump remained vocal, condemning the pardon as unjust and questioning its implications for broader legal cases, including those related to the Capitol riot. The political fallout from Biden’s decision continues to ripple through Washington.