President Joe Biden has granted a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, effectively shielding him from a potential prison sentence for federal felony convictions related to gun and tax charges. This decision marks a reversal of previous statements in which President Biden had committed not to use his executive powers to benefit family members.
In the past, Biden had explicitly ruled out pardoning his son, even as Hunter faced legal consequences for the charges in Delaware and California. This move comes just weeks before Hunter Biden was due to be sentenced following his trial conviction on the gun charge and his guilty plea regarding the tax charges. It also occurs just under two months before President-elect Donald Trump is set to assume office.
The pardon brings an end to a protracted legal battle for Hunter Biden, who publicly revealed in December 2020 that he was under federal investigation. This disclosure came shortly after his father’s 2020 presidential victory.
Earlier this year, as Hunter Biden was facing trial in Delaware, President Biden had ruled out pardoning or offering clemency to his son in an interview with ABC News. Even as recently as November 8, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reaffirmed the president’s stance, stating that no pardon or clemency would be granted.
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