President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he has pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing this month for gun and tax crimes. The pardon is a full and unconditional one, according to official documents.
“This morning, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” the president said in a statement. The move is final and cannot be reversed by the incoming president, Donald Trump.
By pardoning Hunter, President Biden broke a public promise he had made multiple times. Before and after stepping out of the 2024 presidential race, Biden had firmly stated that he would not pardon or reduce his son’s sentence, even after Trump won the election.
With the pardon, Hunter Biden will not face sentencing or prison time for his convictions. Judges handling the cases are expected to cancel upcoming hearings, which were scheduled for December 12 and December 16.
In his statement, Biden said he granted the pardon because he believed his son was “unfairly targeted.” He claimed Hunter’s treatment was harsher than that of others accused of similar crimes. Biden also accused his political rivals in Congress of pushing for these charges to harm him politically.
Hunter Biden was found guilty in June of illegally buying and owning a gun, with the trial revealing struggles with drug addiction and family issues. In September, he admitted to nine tax-related crimes, including failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes while spending heavily on escorts, strippers, cars and drugs.
