Biden Decides To Pardon Hunter Biden
Hunter Biden’s story has taken yet another dramatic turn, this time with a presidential pardon from his father, President Joe Biden, just days before leaving office. The move marks a significant reversal of the president’s earlier pledge not to intervene in his son’s legal troubles. Back in June, when Hunter was convicted on three federal gun charges, Joe Biden stated unequivocally, “I will not pardon him.” Yet, as Hunter’s sentencing date loomed, the president changed course, granting his son a full pardon.
After months of claiming he would not do so, President Biden pardons his son Hunter. @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/uZ1dBCmj3t
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) December 2, 2024
NBC News broke the story, reporting that the decision wasn’t made lightly. Behind closed doors, President Biden had been deliberating the possibility of a pardon with his closest aides since June. Despite publicly rejecting the idea at the time, the option remained quietly on the table. Ultimately, Biden’s pardon came just before Hunter faced sentencing for federal gun charges on December 12, as well as a separate sentencing for tax evasion charges later in the week.
Correct. You can’t incriminate yourself if you’re immune to prosecution. Prosecutors often grant immunity to witnesses to force them to testify. Hunter Biden has a blanket pardon. He can be asked ANYTHING and must answer. https://t.co/AaIIOnbh5D
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) December 2, 2024
Hunter Biden, who has been a lightning rod for controversy, released a statement following the pardon. He acknowledged the mistakes he made during what he described as the “darkest days of my addiction” and criticized those who, in his words, “exploited” his struggles for political gain.
Joe Biden's blanket pardon of Hunter covers the entire period of the 2014 CIA coup in Ukraine when Hunter was appointed to the board of a Ukrainian gas company
This means he can't be investigated for any criminal activity during this timeframe
Are you paying attention yet?
— Jack Poso (@JackPosobiec) December 2, 2024
Critics and supporters alike are grappling with the implications of the president’s decision. On one hand, some argue the pardon was an act of compassion, a father stepping in to help his troubled son. On the other, detractors see it as a blatant misuse of executive power, especially given the president’s previous assurances that Hunter would not receive special treatment.
Hunter Biden statement: "I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering.” pic.twitter.com/IIoFykkb0v
— Matt Viser (@mviser) December 2, 2024
The timing of the pardon—just days before Joe Biden leaves office—adds another layer of complexity. While the outgoing president may have hoped to avoid the political fallout of this decision overshadowing his tenure, the move is already sparking intense debate across the political spectrum. For many, it epitomizes the deeply personal and highly political challenges that have defined the Biden presidency.