Biden pardons his son Hunter in two criminal cases
Photo: US President Joe Biden (Getty Images)
On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced that he had pardoned his son, Hunter Biden. This month, Hunter was set to be sentenced for charges related to illegal gun possession and tax evasion, reports the White House and CNN.
"Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. 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," Biden stated in an official release.
In response, Hunter Biden said he plans to dedicate his life to helping people struggling with addiction following the pardon.
CNN notes that President-elect Donald Trump cannot overturn an official presidential pardon.
However, by pardoning his son, Joe Biden broke a public promise he made before and after stepping out of the 2024 presidential race.
" The president and his top White House spokesperson have said unequivocally, including after Trump won the 2024 election, that he would not pardon Hunter Biden or commute his sentence," CNN reports.
The pardon ensures that Hunter Biden will not face convictions for his crimes. It eliminates any possibility of imprisonment, which had been a potential outcome.
CNN suggests that judges in Hunter Biden's cases will likely cancel sentencing hearings scheduled for December 12 in the firearms case and December 16 in the tax case.
In June 2023, Hunter Biden admitted to tax violations and reached a plea deal with prosecutors in a criminal case involving a firearm.
The case refers to an incident in October 2018 when Hunter Biden provided false information to a seller while purchasing a Colt Cobra .38 SPL revolver, claiming he was not using drugs at the time.
