The president is still fuming that he had his hopes dashed in 2024. Now he’s going scorched earth.
And Joe Biden threw the law out the window in a stunning act of defiance.
President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he had signed a pardon for his son Hunter Biden, shielding him from federal gun charges and tax evasion convictions that had dogged the younger Biden earlier this year.
The decision marks a sharp reversal for the outgoing president, who had previously stated he would not extend a pardon to his son.
Biden, 82, defended the controversial move, claiming it was a response to what he described as “selective and unfair” prosecution. “Hunter was singled out only because he is my son — and that is wrong,” Biden said in a statement.
Hunter Biden, 54, pleaded guilty in September to nine counts of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes and was convicted in June on three federal gun charges related to possessing a firearm while addicted to illegal drugs.
Despite the convictions, the president argued his son was treated differently than others facing similar accusations.
“Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form,” Biden said.
“Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently.”
Biden accused his political opponents of targeting his son as a means of attacking him, 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.”
The sweeping pardon, which was posted online alongside Biden’s statement, covers all offenses Hunter may have committed against the U.S. between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 1, 2024. This includes any uncharged crimes, effectively closing the door on further federal investigations.
The president linked Hunter’s legal troubles to what he described as politically motivated actions by congressional Republicans. He alleged that some in Congress “instigated [the charges] to attack me and oppose my election.”
Hunter Biden had previously accepted a plea deal in June that would have resulted in probation. However, the agreement collapsed in July after IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler accused the Justice Department of interfering with the investigation, including tipping off Hunter’s lawyers and blocking inquiries into Joe Biden’s potential involvement.
During a dramatic court appearance in July, Hunter’s legal team demanded immunity for possible violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which could have implicated his father.
Although Hunter was never charged with FARA violations, critics pointed out that others connected to the same Chinese firms Hunter worked with faced such charges. The president’s pardon now precludes Hunter from facing these allegations.
Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, later promoted to special counsel, refiled charges in multiple jurisdictions after the plea deal fell apart. Hunter was awaiting sentencing in both cases before the pardon was issued.
Joe Biden has long maintained he “never” discussed business matters with his son or brother, James Biden, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Emails, photos, and witness testimony have shown that Joe Biden met with Hunter’s associates on multiple occasions, including while serving as vice president.
These revelations became central to a House Republican-led impeachment inquiry that ended when Biden withdrew from his reelection campaign in July.
With this last-minute pardon, Biden’s presidency closes under a cloud of controversy, leaving questions about the administration’s role in Hunter’s business dealings and the legal maneuvers that followed.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
