In a move that has ignited a firestorm of controversy, President Joe Biden has granted a sweeping pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, effectively nullifying his convictions on federal gun and tax charges. This executive clemency has drawn sharp rebuke from across the political spectrum, with critics accusing the President of hypocrisy and undermining the principles of justice he vowed to uphold.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles are well-documented. In June 2024, he was convicted on three felony counts related to lying on a federal firearm purchase form, denying his illegal drug use at the time. Subsequently, in September, he pleaded guilty to multiple tax offenses, admitting to evading over $1.4 million in taxes. These are not trivial missteps but serious crimes that would land any ordinary citizen behind bars.
Yet, President Biden issued a “full and unconditional pardon” covering all offenses committed by Hunter between January 1, 2014 and December 1, 2024.
The move was surprising. Throughout his campaign and tenure, Biden repeatedly assured the American public that he would not interfere in his son’s legal matters. As recently as November 7, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reaffirmed, “Our answer stands, which is no,” when questioned about a potential pardon for Hunter. This about-face has eroded public trust and has raised questions about Biden’s integrity.
The backlash has been swift and bipartisan. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) expressed his dismay, posting on X: ”I’m shocked President Biden pardoned his son Hunter [because] he said many, many times he wouldn’t, and I believed him. Shame on me.”
Even Democratic Governor Jared Polis of Colorado voiced disappointment, emphasizing that no one, including the president’s son, should be above the law.
President-elect Donald Trump did not mince words. Trump himself has issued pardons to family and loyalists, including Charles Kushner in 2020, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who was convicted of tax evasion, witness tampering, and illegal campaign contributions. Trump condemned Biden’s pardon. He pointed to individuals imprisoned for their involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, questioning, “Does the pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?” He further criticized the decision, calling it “such an abuse and miscarriage of justice.”
This sentiment resonates with many Americans who see this act as a gross misuse of presidential power to shield a family member from deserved consequences.
Biden said that since taking office, he has been committed to not interfering with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and he has upheld that promise despite witnessing the selective and unfair prosecution of his son. He emphasized that throughout his career, he has adhered to a straightforward principle: always tell the American people the truth, as they tend to be fair-minded. However, he felt that raw politics had tainted this process, resulting in a miscarriage of justice. Therefore, after careful consideration over the weekend, he decided there was no reason to postpone his decision stance any longer.
“I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision,” he said.
The implications of this pardon are profound. It could tarnish the Biden administration’s credibility and set a dangerous standard for future leaders, suggesting that personal connections can override the rule of law.