President Joe Biden has made a dramatic decision to pardon his son Hunter. In September, the administration had explicitly stated that Biden would not issue a pardon for his son. Now, the President has taken an unprecedented step in the midst of Hunter’s legal challenges.
Despite saying he would not, President Biden decided to pardon his son.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 2, 2024
Biden claims his son Hunter was the victim of lawfare. pic.twitter.com/fW91tNxEFe
The pardon covers Hunter Biden’s convictions in two cases in Delaware and California. Crucially, it extends to:
- His conviction for lying on a federal gun purchase form in 2018
- His guilty plea to tax evasion charges involving approximately $1.4 million
- Potential offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024
Also Read: Rigathi Gachagua Names Those Behind Limuru Funeral Chaos
The President’s Justification
Biden defended his decision with strong words, arguing that “politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.” He emphasized his long-standing commitment to not interfering with the Justice Department’s decision-making, even as he watched his son being “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted.”
“I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision,” Biden stated.
Hunter’s Response
Responding to the pardon, Hunter Biden, 54, acknowledged his past mistakes and expressed remorse. He recognized the public scrutiny his actions have caused:
“I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”
Understanding Presidential Pardons
What is a Presidential Pardon?
A presidential pardon is a legal mechanism through which the President of the United States grants forgiveness for a federal crime. This act effectively removes punishments and legal consequences associated with specific offenses.
While the pardon forgives the criminal offenses, it does not:
- Erase the official record of the offenses
- Apply to state-level charges
- Cover impeachment convictions
Constitutional Context
The U.S. Constitution grants the president broad powers of clemency, which includes both pardons and commutations. A pardon provides more comprehensive relief, completely forgiving federal criminal offenses, whereas a commutation merely reduces penalties.
