Biden grants son Hunter a presidential pardon for criminal charges
“I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision.”
[Cheonji Ilbo Washington=Reporter Eloise Lee] — December 2
With just weeks left in office, President Biden has signed a full and unconditional pardon for his son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of federal gun charges and tax evasion.
President Biden said he “wrestled” with the decision, which was announced late on Sunday. He had previously maintained that he would not get involved in the cases against his son.
“From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making,” said President Biden. “And I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,” he continued in a statement.
President Biden alleges that the criminal charges against his son only came about because of political interference by his opponents to attack the President and oppose his re-election campaign.
“A carefully negotiated plea deal, agreed to by the Department of Justice, unraveled in the court room – with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process,” said Biden. “Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair, reasonable resolution of Hunter’s cases.”
Biden argues that Hunter was singled out only because of his connection to the President.
“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,” said Biden.
The President said he believes in the American justice system but alleges “raw politics has infected this process” and led to a miscarriage of justice.
The executive grant of clemency for Hunter Biden was signed December 1.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday that further announcements on pardons for other American citizens can be expected at the end of Biden’s term.