Biden issues pardon for son Hunter Biden

12/2/24 •

Summaries by topic

• English

President Biden issued a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, for federal gun and tax-related charges, reversing his prior stance against pardoning him. This decision was attributed to Biden's belief that Hunter was unfairly targeted due to his familial relationship with the president, and the pardon was intended to protect Hunter from potential future legal repercussions under the incoming Trump administration.

Hunter Biden's Pardon

• 00:00:00 President Biden issued a full and unconditional pardon for Hunter Biden, covering both existing and potential future charges between 2014 and 2024. This decision reversed his previous statement that he would not interfere in Hunter's legal proceedings. Biden cited concerns about a politically motivated prosecution as the justification for his decision.

Reasons for Pardon

• 00:01:05 President Biden claimed Hunter was unfairly targeted and selectively prosecuted due to his familial ties. He asserted that the prosecution was intended to 'break' both Hunter and himself. Biden expressed pride in Hunter's sobriety and resilience, emphasizing his belief in Hunter's character and innocence.

Hunter Biden's Charges

• 00:01:30 Hunter Biden was convicted on federal gun charges for falsifying information on a firearms purchase form due to his drug use and pleaded guilty to tax charges related to unpaid taxes. The pardon eliminates these convictions and any potential future prosecutions.

Trump's Response

• 00:03:00 President-elect Trump criticized the pardon, describing it as an abuse of justice. Trump's team argues that the pardon underscores his allegations of weaponization within the Department of Justice and intends to rectify this upon his return to the White House.

Legal Perspective

• 00:03:37 Legal experts noted that Hunter's gun charge could be argued as an example of selective prosecution given the unique circumstances. The tax charges, however, are less clear-cut. The pardon's broad scope raises questions regarding the president's intent to protect Hunter from potential future accusations.