Hunter Biden’s legal team has called for a pardon, claiming that the incoming Trump administration could weaponize the legal system against him. In a 52-page document released on November 30, 2024, Biden’s defense argued that his tax and gun convictions were politically motivated and that the potential of Donald Trump’s presidency would only exacerbate the situation.
Hunter Biden, who was convicted earlier this year for gun-related charges and tax evasion, faces significant sentencing from courts in California and Delaware. His lawyers contended that these charges were politically driven, exacerbated by the political climate, and claimed they were disproportionately severe compared to similar cases. They emphasized that Biden had already paid overdue taxes and penalties prior to any charges, with the tax issues coming from his past struggles with drug addiction.
The document also pointed to former President Donald Trump’s stance, which has included making Hunter Biden a target. Trump has suggested that he would consider pardoning Biden, especially after his assertion that Hunter was one of his “enemies.” The document argued that this ongoing political pressure could result in more harm than justice for Hunter Biden.
Hunter Biden has been under investigation for over a year by Special Counsel David Weiss, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2023. While Biden’s legal team maintains that the charges were politically motivated, it also warns of potential interference from Trump’s administration should he take office in January 2025.
Biden was convicted by a Delaware jury for lying on a federal form to obtain a firearm in 2018, and he later pled guilty to nine charges related to tax evasion. His conviction could carry up to 17 years in prison and significant fines, though it was noted that he had already repaid back taxes and penalties prior to the charges being filed.
President Joe Biden has expressed that he will not pardon his son before leaving office, while Trump has left the door open to a possible pardon in the future, a move that could signal a shift in political alliances. Trump’s remarks on pardoning Hunter Biden came after years of controversy, including allegations stemming from a laptop scandal that emerged in 2020.
In addition to Hunter Biden, Trump has also indicated a potential willingness to pardon figures like former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, despite her previous handling of classified information, which remains a point of contention among many conservatives.
Trump has faced criticism for his stance on these matters but has repeatedly suggested that he could have pursued legal actions against Clinton and others during his presidency, had he chosen to do so. Despite this, Trump has since adopted a more unifying tone, signaling that his second term would take a different approach.
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