Joe Biden Pardons Son Hunter Amid Final Weeks in Office, Sparks Controversy

In a move likely to ignite intense debate, US President Joe Biden issued an official pardon on Sunday for his son Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing for felony charges related to lying about his drug use when purchasing a firearm and separate tax evasion offenses. The pardon comes as Biden nears the end of his presidency, with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office on January 20.

Hunter Biden, convicted earlier this year, was facing up to 25 years in prison for the gun charge and 17 years for tax evasion. Despite assurances that he would not intervene, Biden justified the pardon by claiming his son was targeted unfairly. “No reasonable person can look at the facts and conclude otherwise,” Biden stated, asserting that the charges were politically motivated by his opponents in Congress.

The pardon marks a notable departure from Biden’s previous stance against interference in legal proceedings. “I kept my word by not interfering with the Justice Department’s decisions, but I believe the system has been infected by raw politics, leading to a miscarriage of justice,” he said in a statement.

The decision has drawn criticism, particularly from Republicans, who have long accused the Justice Department of leniency toward Hunter. Trump, who himself faces stalled legal cases due to a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, took to social media, suggesting Biden’s pardon was an abuse of power. “Does Joe’s pardon include the J-6 hostages?” Trump wrote, referencing the January 6 rioters he has vowed to pardon.

Hunter Biden, who has struggled with addiction, has since paid his back taxes and penalties. He previously reached a plea deal that collapsed at the last moment, leaving him vulnerable to harsh sentencing. In a statement, Hunter pledged to dedicate his life to helping others struggling with addiction, noting the personal toll of his legal battles.

This pardon comes amid heightened scrutiny of presidential clemency powers, with parallels drawn to past cases like Bill Clinton’s pardon of his half-brother and Trump’s pardon of his son-in-law’s father. As Biden exits the political stage, handing the reins to Vice President Kamala Harris, the move underscores the enduring influence of political rivalries on the US justice system.