Biden Grants Pardon to Son Amid Gun and Tax Issues
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Washington, Dec 2 (NationPress) US President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he has granted a pardon to his son Hunter Biden, who was convicted on gun-related charges in Delaware and has accepted responsibility for tax evasion in California.
Biden has reversed his previous commitment not to pardon his son.
"Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter," Biden stated.
"Since the day I assumed office, I promised not to interfere with the Justice Department's decision-making, and I have upheld that promise even while witnessing my son being selectively and unjustly prosecuted. Typically, individuals are not prosecuted for felony charges based solely on how they completed a gun form, especially when there are no aggravating factors such as criminal use, multiple purchases, or straw purchasing. Those who have delayed tax payments due to severe addictions, but have subsequently repaid with interest and penalties, are generally offered non-criminal resolutions. It is evident that Hunter was treated differently."
Hunter Biden is the only surviving son of the President, younger than Beau Biden, a war veteran and former attorney general of Delaware.
Hunter Biden was found guilty on two counts of providing false information on forms he completed to purchase a firearm in 2018, having falsely claimed he was not using drugs at that time. The third charge pertains to possessing a firearm while using illicit substances. He was tried in a federal court located in Wilmington, the family’s hometown in Delaware, with the jury reaching a verdict in just three hours after final arguments concluded on Monday.
When Hunter Biden was convicted in June, President Biden remarked, "As I mentioned last week, I am the President, but I am also a father. Jill and I love our son and are extremely proud of the person he has become. Many families who have had loved ones struggle with addiction can relate to the pride of seeing someone you love emerge from those challenges and show strength in recovery. I also stated last week that I would accept the court’s decision and continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always support Hunter and our family with our love. Nothing can change that."
Hunter Biden was facing a potential sentence of 25 years for the arms conviction and over a decade for the tax evasion charge.
Biden stated in his Sunday announcement, "The charges against Hunter arose only after several of my political adversaries in Congress prompted them to undermine me and hinder my election. Subsequently, a carefully negotiated plea deal, which had been agreed upon by the Department of Justice, unraveled in court, with many of my political opponents taking credit for exerting political pressure on the proceedings. Had the plea agreement been upheld, it would have represented a fair and reasonable resolution to Hunter's cases."
The President further asserted, "No reasonable individual examining the facts of Hunter's cases could conclude otherwise than that Hunter was targeted solely because he is my son, which is unjust. There has been a concerted effort to undermine Hunter—who has been sober for five and a half years—amid relentless attacks and selective prosecution. In seeking to break Hunter, they also aimed to break me, and there is no indication that this will cease. Enough is enough."
In closing, Biden noted, "Throughout my career, I have adhered to a straightforward principle: simply tell the American people the truth. They will be fair-minded. Here’s the truth: I believe in our justice system, but I have also come to recognize that raw politics has tainted this process, leading to a miscarriage of justice. Once I reached this decision this weekend, there was no reason for further delay. I hope Americans can comprehend why a father and President would arrive at this conclusion."
