In a highly controversial move, US President Joe Biden has issued an official pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing for two criminal cases. The announcement comes as Biden prepares to leave office, with Donald Trump set to assume the presidency on January 20.
In a statement released on Sunday, Biden defended his decision, claiming his son was unfairly targeted. “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son — and that is wrong,” the president said.
Hunter Biden had been convicted earlier this year of lying about his drug use during a firearm purchase and had also pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges. He had not yet been sentenced. President Biden previously stated he would not intervene in his son’s legal matters, reiterating his belief in the justice system.
However, Biden alleged political motives behind the charges, stating, “The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election.” He added that political interference had led to “a miscarriage of justice.”
The pardon has sparked debates over the independence of the US judicial system. Critics argue it undermines accountability, while supporters believe it rectifies a politically motivated prosecution.
This decision coincides with stalled criminal cases against President-elect Donald Trump, following a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. Despite a conviction for falsifying business records in May, Trump is unlikely to face jail time, further fueling discussions on justice in the US.
Presidential pardons for family members or allies are not unprecedented. Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother for cocaine charges, and Trump pardoned his son-in-law’s father for tax evasion, though both had served their sentences.
Biden’s choice to pardon his son adds a polarizing chapter to his final days in offi
