outgoing United States President Joe Biden has granted a full and unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted earlier this year of violating federal gun and tax laws. This decision has drawn widespread attention as it reverses Biden’s previous assurances that he would not interfere in his son’s legal matters.
In June, Hunter Biden was convicted on three felony charges stemming from the 2018 purchase of a revolver. Prosecutors argued that he provided false information on federal firearms paperwork, denying any addiction or illegal drug use—a claim contradicted by evidence of his substance abuse during that time.
Additionally, in September, Hunter pleaded guilty to a separate case involving tax-related crimes. He admitted to three felony tax offenses and six misdemeanour tax violations. Sentencing for these charges was expected to take place this month.
In a statement released on Sunday evening, President Biden announced the pardon, specifying that it covered all offenses Hunter “has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024, including but not limited to all offenses charged or prosecuted.”
“The full and unconditional pardon” is intended to address what the president described as selective prosecution driven by political motivations.
The president defended his decision, arguing that his son’s prosecution was not conducted on fair grounds. He stated that such charges, particularly those concerning how a gun form was filled out, are rarely brought against individuals.
“It is clear that Hunter was treated differently,” Biden said. “People are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form.”
Biden further alleged that the charges against his son were orchestrated by his political opponents, particularly Republican lawmakers, as a means of targeting him personally.
“The charges were brought only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election,” the president stated.
He also accused Republicans of undermining a plea deal that had been negotiated in good faith, which he described as a “reasonable resolution” to Hunter’s legal troubles. The president expressed frustration with what he called a politically charged attack on his family, adding:
“In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me – and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough.”
This decision marks a stark shift from Biden’s earlier statements. In June, the president told ABC News that he would accept the jury’s verdict and ruled out the possibility of granting his son a pardon. At the time, he unequivocally responded “yes” when asked if he would accept the outcome and refrain from offering clemency.
However, in his Sunday statement, Biden admitted his perspective had changed, citing concerns about the integrity of the judicial process in his son’s case.
“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,” he said.
Shortly after the pardon was made public, Hunter Biden released a statement expressing both gratitude and regret.
“I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction – mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport,” he said.
Hunter pledged to honour the second chance afforded to him, adding:
“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.”
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles have been a focal point for Republican critics throughout Joe Biden’s presidency. Allegations of corruption involving Hunter’s overseas business dealings in countries such as Ukraine and China have persisted, with some opponents suggesting he acted as a conduit for illicit financial activities benefiting his father. President Biden has repeatedly denied these claims, referring to his son as “the smartest guy I know” and publicly expressing unwavering support.
