On Sunday night, President Joe Biden granted a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, sparing him from possible prison time after his gun and tax convictions. This decision marks a surprising reversal, as the president had previously promised not to use his powers to benefit his family.
Hunter Biden was set to be sentenced in two separate cases related to his purchase of a gun in 2018 and his tax evasion charges. The pardon comes just weeks before Hunter was to face sentencing, and just two months before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
A Pardon Amid a Long Legal Battle
Hunter Biden‘s legal troubles have been widely publicized since 2020 when he disclosed that he was under federal investigation. These charges stemmed from a period during which Biden struggled with substance abuse before becoming sober in 2019.
The tax case involved allegations that he avoided paying over $1.4 million in taxes, while the gun charge stemmed from lying on a federal form when purchasing a firearm.
In his statement, President Biden expressed that his son had been unfairly prosecuted due to his family connections. This decision to grant the pardon reflects his view that Hunter was treated differently from others in similar situations, and the president denounced what he called “selective prosecution” against his son.
The Presidential Power
A pardon allows a president to forgive federal criminal offenses, a power that has been widely used throughout U.S. history. Although Hunter Biden‘s case is not unprecedented, the public nature of the pardon, especially given Biden’s previous promises, has raised eyebrows.
Other presidents, such as Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, also granted pardons to family members and close associates. While pardons cannot be used for state crimes or impeachments, they remain a powerful tool for presidents to grant mercy.
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