US President Joe Biden granted a presidential pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday, despite earlier assurances that he would not intervene in his son’s legal challenges.
Hunter, who faced sentencing for two separate criminal cases, had been convicted earlier this year of lying about his drug use when purchasing a firearm, a felony and had also pleaded guilty in a separate tax evasion case. However, he had yet to be sentenced for either charge.
In a statement, President Biden declared that no reasonable observer could conclude anything other than that Hunter had been unfairly targeted simply because of his familial connection to the president. “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong,” Biden stated.
The decision is likely to reignite debate over the independence of the US judicial system, particularly at a time when incoming President Donald Trump is moving to appoint loyalists to key positions within the FBI and Justice Department. Critics are expected to argue that Biden’s intervention undermines the integrity of the legal process.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles have been a consistent point of contention, particularly during this election cycle. Republicans have long accused him of receiving preferential treatment, while Democrats contend that his prosecution is politically motivated. In his statement, President Biden addressed these claims, stating, “I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.”
The pardon comes as criminal cases against President-elect Trump have stalled, following a ruling by the Supreme Court on presidential immunity. This ruling all but ensures that Trump will likely avoid jail time, even after being convicted for falsifying business records earlier this year.
The use of pardons for family members and political allies is not unprecedented in US history. Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump have each used their clemency powers for relatives, including Clinton’s pardon of his half-brother for cocaine charges and Trump’s pardon of his son-in-law’s father for tax evasion.
For Hunter Biden, the legal proceedings had become an ongoing issue for the Biden family, especially given the heightened scrutiny in the run-up to the election. Despite previously reaching a plea deal that would have kept him out of jail, the agreement collapsed, leaving him at risk of significant prison time. He faced up to 17 years in prison for tax evasion and 25 years for the gun charge.
In response to the pardon, Hunter Biden expressed his commitment to helping others struggling with addiction, stating that he would devote his life to supporting those who are “still sick and suffering.” Having battled drug addiction himself, he vowed to continue his recovery and give back to those in need.
While the legal resolution may ease some of the Biden family’s concerns, it is likely to prompt further debate on the implications of presidential pardons, particularly in cases involving family members and political allies.
