December 2nd 2024.
On Sunday evening, President Joe Biden made the decision to pardon his son, Hunter. This move spared Hunter from a potential prison sentence for his federal felony gun and tax convictions. It also went against the president's previous promises not to use his presidential powers for the benefit of his family.
In the past, President Biden had stated that he would not pardon or commute his son's sentence after he was convicted in two separate cases in Delaware and California. This pardon comes just weeks before Hunter was set to be sentenced for his gun case and guilty plea in the tax case. It also comes less than two months before former President Donald Trump is expected to return to the White House.
For Hunter, this pardon brings an end to a lengthy legal battle. He had publicly disclosed that he was under federal investigation in December of 2020, just a month after his father's victory in the 2020 election. This situation has also cast a shadow over President Biden's legacy. Throughout his campaign, he had promised to restore norms and uphold the rule of law after Trump's tenure, but ultimately used his position to help his son, breaking his pledge to the American people.
In the past, President Biden had categorically stated that he would not pardon or commute his son's sentence. He even reiterated this stance in November, shortly after Trump's electoral defeat. However, in a statement released on Sunday evening, President Biden explained that he had come to this decision after much reflection and consideration. He also cited the political motivations behind his son's charges, alleging that his political opponents had instigated the investigations to attack him and his presidency.
The president's unwavering support for his son has been a source of criticism from his political rivals. They have used Hunter's past mistakes and struggles with drug addiction as a means to attack his father. In fact, during one hearing, lawmakers even displayed inappropriate photos of Hunter to further their agenda. Additionally, House Republicans attempted to use Hunter's overseas business dealings as a reason to impeach his father. However, the president has consistently denied any involvement or benefit from his son's business ventures.
In his statement, President Biden emphasized his belief in the justice system, but also expressed concern that politics had influenced his son's cases. He stated that no reasonable person could come to any other conclusion than Hunter being targeted because he is the son of the president. He also hopes that the American people will understand his decision as a father and a president.
This pardon also comes after Hunter's legal team released a white paper detailing what they believe to be politically motivated prosecutions against him. They argue that the prosecutors bowed to pressure from Trump and other Republicans, leading to the indictment of the president's son. Despite this, Hunter has taken responsibility for his past mistakes and has vowed to use his second chance to help others who are still struggling with addiction.
The president's decision to issue a pardon is not without precedent. In his final weeks in office, Trump also used his pardon powers to benefit his family and allies. This included pardoning the father of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as well as multiple allies who were convicted in the Russia investigation. However, this decision has been met with criticism from Republican Congressman James Comer, who is leading investigations into the Biden family's actions. He believes that this pardon is just the tip of the iceberg and that the Bidens are trying to avoid accountability.
In response to the pardon, Hunter's legal team has filed requests for immediate dismissal of his gun and tax cases. They argue that the pardon covers all offenses committed by Hunter from 2014 to 2024. The U.S. Attorney who negotiated Hunter's plea deal has not yet commented on the pardon. As the president prepares for his final foreign trip before leaving office, this decision will surely be a topic of discussion.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
