President Joe Biden has granted a pardon Sunday to his son, Hunter Biden, sparing him from a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions. The move reverses Biden’s previous assurances that he would not use presidential powers to benefit family members, sparking a wave of political and public scrutiny.
The president’s decision comes weeks before Hunter Biden was scheduled to face sentencing in the gun case in Delaware and after pleading guilty to tax charges in California. The pardon arrives just ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025, adding a dramatic twist to a long-running legal and political saga.
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This decision marks a sharp departure from Biden’s earlier public statements. In June, during an interview with ABC News, Biden categorically ruled out the possibility of granting clemency or a pardon for his son. Similarly, on November 8, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated this stance, stating, “We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no.”
Hunter Biden’s legal challenges began when he publicly disclosed in December 2020 that he was under federal investigation, a revelation made shortly after his father’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. The cases, centered on a felony gun charge and tax violations, have drawn widespread attention and fueled partisan debates over accountability and privilege.
The gun case involved allegations of false statements made during the purchase of a firearm, while the tax charges stemmed from unpaid taxes over multiple years. A trial conviction on the gun charge and a plea deal on the tax charges were set to result in sentencing just weeks from now.
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Critics have accused President Biden of undermining his earlier commitments to avoid using presidential powers for personal matters, a promise he made during his campaign and presidency. The pardon is already drawing fierce criticism from Republicans, who argue it reflects a double standard and a misuse of presidential authority.
The pardon also casts a shadow over Biden’s final months in office, as he prepares to hand over the reins to President-elect Trump. It is expected to fuel ongoing partisan investigations and potentially dominate the political discourse in the lead-up to the transition of power.
The pardon effectively closes the legal chapter for Hunter Biden but opens the door to intense political scrutiny. While the move spares the younger Biden from facing prison time, it may leave lasting implications for Joe Biden’s presidency and legacy.
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With less than two months remaining in his term, Biden’s decision has added another layer of controversy to an already tumultuous period in American politics.
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