President Joe Biden has granted a pardon to his son, Hunter, thereby shielding him from a potential prison sentence linked to federal felony gun and tax convictions. This decision marks a departure from Biden's earlier commitments not to utilize presidential powers to assist family members.
Previously, the Democratic president had stated he would not consider a pardon or sentence commutation for Hunter following his convictions in Delaware and California. This action comes just weeks before Hunter was scheduled to face sentencing for his gun conviction and his guilty plea on tax charges, and shortly before former President Donald Trump is set to return to the White House.
This development concludes a lengthy legal battle for Hunter Biden, who publicly acknowledged being under federal investigation in December 2020, soon after his father's election victory.
In June, as Hunter was preparing for trial related to the gun charges in Delaware, President Biden had explicitly ruled out any possibility of a pardon or clemency during an interview with ABC News. Just days before the pardon, on November 8, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated the administration's position, stating, "We've been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no."