Hunter Biden: “I Won’t Take a Pardon for Granted”
President Joe Biden granted a pardon to his son, despite his earlier statements indicating he would not do so.
Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has expressed his appreciation for the pardon he received from his father.
“During my struggles with addiction, I lost many opportunities and privileges. In recovery, we are given the chance to make amends and rebuild our lives, provided we do not take for granted the grace we have been shown,” Hunter Biden, 54, remarked in a statement to the media on December 1.
“I will never take the clemency I have been granted today for granted, and I am committed to using the life I have rebuilt to assist those who are still suffering.”
Additionally, the jury concluded that Hunter Biden had lied regarding his drug use and the illegal possession of the firearm. He had also pleaded guilty in a separate case concerning tax evasion.
“No reasonable person reviewing the facts of Hunter’s cases can conclude anything other than that he was targeted solely because he is my son—and that is unjust,” the president stated on Sunday.
He added that while he has faith in the justice system, he believes that “raw politics have tainted this process, leading to a miscarriage of justice.”
“I hope,” President Biden expressed, “that the American people will comprehend why a father and a President would arrive at this decision.”
Previously, President Biden had stated that he would not extend a pardon to his son.
The pardon signifies that Hunter Biden will avoid any prison time or additional penalties for his offenses.
This pardon mandates that his cases be dismissed and not refiled in the future, as conveyed by his attorneys to the judges overseeing the matters.
Sentencing in the firearm case was set for November but was postponed until December by a federal judge. The pardon was issued just days before the new sentencing date.
Hunter Biden was at risk of serving up to 25 years in prison for firearm-related offenses and potentially 17 years for tax-related charges, along with fines exceeding $1 million.
This decision also attracted criticism from some Democrats.
Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) voiced his disagreement with the president’s assertion that Hunter Biden’s prosecution was politically charged.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, remarked that the president’s action set a “bad precedent” that future presidents could exploit.
“After a five-year investigation, the facts revealed only reinforced this perspective,” Holder stated. “Had his surname been Smith, the resolution would have been—fairly and fundamentally—a declination.”