President Biden Pardons Son Hunter in Final Act of Clemency

In a significant move, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a “full and unconditional” pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who faced potential prison time for charges related to gun possession and tax fraud. The pardon, announced as Biden prepares to leave office, has drawn sharp criticism and stirred political debate.

Biden, who previously stated he would not use his presidential powers to pardon Hunter, explained the decision as an act of justice. “Hunter has been unfairly persecuted,” Biden said, suggesting the legal scrutiny was politically motivated.

Hunter Biden expressed gratitude in a statement, saying, “I will never take this clemency for granted.” He also reflected on his struggles with addiction, which he acknowledged had contributed to his legal troubles.

Hunter Biden’s charges stemmed from two key cases:

• He was found guilty of lying about his drug use on a federal firearms application and for possessing a gun while addicted to drugs.
• In September, he pleaded guilty to nine charges of tax fraud, admitting to failing to pay $1.4 million in income taxes between 2016 and 2019.

Hunter was scheduled for sentencing on December 16, facing the possibility of years in prison.

President-elect Donald Trump strongly condemned the pardon, calling it “an abuse and miscarriage of justice.” The move is likely to intensify partisan divisions, with critics accusing Biden of shielding his family from accountability.

The pardon also revives broader debates over presidential clemency powers and their potential misuse.

As President Biden exits the White House, this act of clemency will likely remain a defining and divisive moment of his tenure. While supporters argue it demonstrates compassion for a troubled family member, opponents view it as undermining the justice system for personal reasons.