Reuters reported that on December 1, US President Joe Biden announced that he had signed a pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of illegal gun use and possession, tax evasion, and drug use.
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son, Hunter. From the day I took office, I pledged not to interfere with the decisions of the Department of Justice, and I have kept that promise, even as I watched my son be unfairly prosecuted,” Biden said at the White House.
Previously, the White House repeatedly affirmed that Mr. Biden would not pardon or commute his son's sentence. However, Mr. Hunter Biden is in the process of drug rehabilitation and has been the target of attacks from the Republican Party, especially President-elect Donald Trump in the 2024 US election.
President Biden insisted that his son was being treated unfairly simply because he was related to him. He said the charges stemmed from politically motivated efforts in Congress to undermine the election.
He also pointed to the irregularities in how similar cases are handled. According to Mr. Biden, prosecutions for making false statements when buying guns are rare, and most people who file their taxes late due to addiction but have paid in full usually receive civil rather than criminal penalties.
“I hope the American people will understand why a father and a president made this decision,” Mr. Biden shared.
Hunter Biden’s sentencing on charges of perjury and gun possession will take place on December 4, while his tax evasion case involving a $1.4 million debt will be heard on December 16.
