In a bold move on Sunday, President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden for the charges of gun possession and tax fraud, saying that the 54-year-old has been unfairly prosecuted for being his son.
"Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter," Biden said in a statement. "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."
"Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form. Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently."
Here's the full statement:
BREAKING: Biden pardons Hunter pic.twitter.com/oLzIxliAdg
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) December 2, 2024
Hunter Biden was indicted on nine tax-related charges, including three felony counts. The charges allege that he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes from 2016 to 2019 and filed false returns.
Also read: Why Joe Biden Pardoned Son Hunter: Explaining The Bold Move
He was also convicted on three federal gun charges related to possessing a firearm while using narcotics. These charges stemmed from his history of drug addiction and involved allegations that he lied about his drug use when purchasing a firearm.
In June, Hunter Biden was found guilty of falsifying a federal form by denying his narcotic addiction when purchasing a firearm, lying to a gun dealer, and illegally possessing the revolver, despite regulations prohibiting drug addicts from owning firearms.