President Joe Biden reversed his previous pledges not to utilize the exceptional powers of the office for the benefit of his family members on Sunday night when he pardoned his son, Hunter, avoiding a potential prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax offenses.
🚨 Joe Biden’s pardon of Hunter is “Full and Unconditional” and covers offenses “which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in” during nearly an ELEVEN YEAR PERIOD from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024 pic.twitter.com/V1cWNRLvuT
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 2, 2024
Hunter Biden made a statement after gaining pardon from his father –
"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. Despite all of this, I have maintained my sobriety for more than five years because of my deep faith and the unwavering love and support of my family and friends. In the throes of addiction, I squandered many opportunities and advantages. 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."
As his son was put on trial in the Delaware gun case in June, Biden told reporters, "I abide by the jury decision," firmly ruling out a pardon or commutation for his son. "I'll do it, and I won't forgive him," Biden was quoted saying by The Time Magazine.
"We've been asked that question multiple times," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Nov. 8, only days after Trump's victory, when she denied a pardon or mercy for the younger Biden. She added, "We continue to say that the answer is no."
It's interesting to note that Hunter Biden already acknowledged purposefully evading paying $1.4 million (ÂŁ1 million) in income tax between 2016 and 2019. He had been convicted twice in as many months. Biden Jr. became the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a felony when he was found guilty at trial in June of using illicit drugs while in possession of a firearm.