In a stunning and controversial move, Joe Biden went back on what he’s been saying for years now. Joe Biden has granted a blanket pardon to his son Hunter Biden, shielding him from federal charges stemming from gun and tax-related offenses and any other crimes committed between 2014 and 2024. The sweeping pardon comes after years of legal troubles for Hunter, whose conduct has been at the center of political and legal battles.
The pardon effectively halts the cases against Hunter Biden, which had already drawn sharp criticism over the Justice Department’s handling. Federal prosecutors, led by Special Counsel Robert Weiss, faced accusations of slow-walking the investigation, allowing the statute of limitations to lapse on some charges. Hunter was recently convicted of felony gun charges for lying on a federal form while purchasing a revolver in 2018 and was awaiting sentencing for tax evasion charges.
The pardon also precludes any future federal prosecution for offenses ranging from alleged foreign lobbying violations to potential involvement in influence-peddling schemes linked to Ukraine and China. The timeline covered by the pardon begins in 2014, coinciding with Hunter’s controversial role on the board of Ukrainian energy firm Burisma, a position many believe was secured to exploit his father’s influence as vice president.
In a statement, Biden defended his decision, calling the prosecution of his son politically motivated. “Hunter was treated differently,” he said, claiming the charges were driven by political opponents seeking to damage his presidency. Biden emphasized that Hunter had repaid his taxes with interest and penalties and maintained sobriety for over five years despite “unrelenting attacks.” The president framed his action as that of a father protecting his son from an unfair system, adding, “Enough is enough.”
The pardon has sparked intense backlash, with critics accusing Biden of abusing his presidential power to shield his family from accountability. Attorney Mike Davis noted that while the pardon spares Hunter from further prosecution, it eliminates his ability to invoke the Fifth Amendment in congressional investigations, potentially opening the door to new inquiries into Biden family dealings.
The decision to pardon Hunter may have far-reaching consequences. While it shields Hunter from immediate legal jeopardy, it amplifies concerns about corruption and favoritism, ensuring the controversy will loom over the Biden administration long after his presidency ends. For Republicans, it’s a call to intensify scrutiny of the Biden family’s actions and the integrity of the justice system.
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