United States President Joe Biden’s grant of a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, sparked a heated political debate. Joe Biden pardoned his son, backtracking on his previous stance of not intervening, claiming it was unfair treatment.
In a White House statement, Biden declared that his son faced selective prosecution due to his family name. “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,” he said. Biden added that political interference had compromised the justice system’s integrity.
Biden’s decision eliminates the legal consequences Hunter Biden faced, including sentencing for federal gun charges on December 12 and tax evasion convictions on December 16. According to the official White House announcement, the pardon covers offenses committed between January 2014 and December 2024.
Furthermore, Hunter acknowledged his past mistakes, attributing them to struggles with addiction. Hunter vowed to use his pardon as a platform to help others, “I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted.” Republicans have criticized the pardon, labeling it a misuse of power.
Donald Trump, the president-elect, denounced the pardon as an abuse of presidential authority. Trump, who has faced legal challenges, accused Biden of undermining public trust in the justice system. Given that Biden has repeatedly denied plans to intervene in Hunter’s legal disputes, the pardon raises doubt about the fairness of the court system.
Joe Biden adamantly declared in June, “I will not pardon him,” a stance which First Lady Jill Biden and White House officials also supported. Special Counsel David Weiss, appointed to investigate Hunter Biden, pursued the charges after a plea deal collapsed in court. Critics argue the president acted to protect his family, while Republicans accuse him of setting a dangerous precedent.
The pardon has reignited debates over the use of presidential clemency, with critics warning it could undermine people’s faith in the justice system. As Joe Biden pardoned his son, it highlights the complexities of balancing personal loyalty and public accountability.
