Joe Biden Issues Pardon for Son Hunter, Contradicting Earlier Promises – One America News Network
OAN Staff James Meyers
8:21 AM – Monday, December 2, 2024
President Joe Biden officially pardoned his son Hunter on Sunday following Hunter’s conviction on federal gun and tax evasion charges earlier this year, according to the president’s announcement.
Advertisement
The 82-year-old stated that his decision to issue a pardon was influenced by witnessing his son’s “selective and unjust prosecution.”
“I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice — and once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further. I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision,” Biden expressed in his statement.
This development follows Biden’s previous assertions that he would not grant his son a pardon.
Hunter Biden, 54, admitted guilt to nine counts of federal tax evasion totaling $1.4 million and was found guilty of three federal gun charges in June after being charged with illegally possessing a firearm while addicted to drugs.
“Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form,” Biden stated.
“Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently.”
The outgoing commander-in-chief argued that his son “was singled out only because he is my son — and that is wrong.”
“There has been an effort to break Hunter — who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me — and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here,” Biden stressed. “Enough is enough.”
The pardon’s language, published online alongside the 46th president’s statement, encompasses all offenses committed by Hunter against the U.S. from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024, including any uncharged crimes.
He pointed out that the criminal issues for Hunter began after several political adversaries in Congress “instigated them to attack me and oppose my election.”
Furthermore, Hunter had accepted a plea deal for probation last June, only after allegations from IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler surfaced regarding a comprehensive Justice Department cover-up, which included alerting Hunter’s legal team prior to a planned search and restricting inquiries into Joe Biden’s involvement.
The president’s son previously walked away from a deal last July during a “dramatic” courtroom appearance, where his attorneys raised concerns over potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which could implicate his father.
However, Hunter was never charged with FARA violations, despite a businessman associated with one of the same Chinese firms facing charges last year. The pardon also shields Hunter from any future foreign lobbying charges, which carry a five-year statute of limitations.
Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss was granted the title of special counsel to refile charges after the plea agreement failed, which he proceeded to do in Delaware and Los Angeles, where Hunter was awaiting sentencing in both instances.
President-elect Donald Trump reacted to the pardon, characterizing it as “such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice.”
“Does the Pardon that Joe granted to Hunter also extend to the J-6 Hostages, who have faced years of imprisonment?” Trump inquired, referencing those convicted during the January 6, 2021 protests at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.
Hunter Biden conveyed in an email statement that he deeply appreciates the relief granted to him and pledged to dedicate his renewed life to assisting those who are still struggling.
“I have accepted and taken responsibility for my errors during the darkest periods of my addiction — errors that have been manipulated to publicly embarrass and shame me and my family for political gain,” the younger Biden stated.
Hunter Biden’s legal representatives filed documents on Sunday evening in both Los Angeles and Delaware, requesting that the judges overseeing his gun and tax cases promptly dismiss them due to the pardon.
Stay informed! Get breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Advertisements below
