President Joe Biden made a significant decision on Sunday, pardoning his son Hunter Biden from charges related to gun crimes and tax violations. The pardon ensures that Hunter Biden will not face sentencing for these offenses and effectively removes the possibility of prison time. In a statement released to the public, President Biden addressed the charges against his son, arguing that individuals in similar situations, particularly those facing tax payment issues due to addiction, typically receive non-criminal resolutions.
Biden contended that Hunter's case was treated differently, leading to felony charges despite the absence of aggravating factors. He emphasized his commitment to not interfering with the Justice Department's decision-making process, even while expressing his belief that his son had been "selectively and unfairly prosecuted."
"Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter," President Biden stated in his official release. "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."
He further explained that people rarely face felony charges solely based on how they filled out a gun form, especially without aggravating factors like using a firearm in a crime, multiple purchases, or acting as a straw purchaser. According to Biden, those who were late paying taxes due to serious addictions but subsequently paid them back with interest and penalties usually receive non-criminal resolutions. He stressed that Hunter's case seemed to deviate from this standard practice.
Biden also asserted that the charges against his son originated after political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack him and oppose his election. He added that a carefully negotiated plea deal, agreed upon by the Department of Justice, unraveled in court due to political pressure exerted by those same political opponents.
"The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election. Then, a carefully negotiated plea deal, agreed to by the Department of Justice, unravelled in the courtroom--with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process," Biden stated.
He maintained that the charges were politically motivated, suggesting that Hunter was targeted solely because of his relationship with him. Biden concluded his statement by expressing his belief that, while he has faith in the justice system, the legal process had been influenced by politics, leading to a "miscarriage of justice." He called for an end to this relentless pursuit of his son.
"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. There has been an effort to break Hunter, who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. 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.
This pardon marks a significant development following the US presidential elections as President Biden prepares to leave office and make way for Donald Trump in January 2025. However, the pardon cannot be reversed by President-elect Trump.
