President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, has ignited intense national debate and sharp political discussion. Announced on Sunday evening, the pardon comes in the wake of Hunter Biden’s conviction on multiple federal charges earlier this year.
The pardon also “insulates his son from ever facing federal charges over any crimes he possibly could have committed over the past decade,” writes Politico.
Experts told the outlet that the only other person who has received a presidential pardon “so sweeping” was Richard Nixon, who was given a blanket pardon by Gerald Ford in 1974.
On Sunday evening, Trump expressed his disapproval via Truth Social, questioning the implications of Biden’s pardon and signaling what he may do once he gets the pardoning power.
“Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?” Trump wrote. “Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!”
Fox News writes that president-elect’s transition team responded almost immediately:
“The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proven that the Democrat-controlled DOJ and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system,” Trump’s incoming White House communications chief Steven Cheung said in a statement to Fox News.
“That system of justice must be fixed and due process must be restored for all Americans, which is exactly what President Trump will do as he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people.”
Earlier on Sunday, Biden accused Republicans of unfair treatment and claimed Hunter was “treated differently” by prosecutors. Hunter Biden was convicted of three felony firearm offenses in a Delaware trial earlier this year, and then pleaded guilty to multiple felony tax offenses in September.
“From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,” the president’s statement read.
Biden had previously denied any intent to pardon his son after Hunter was convicted earlier this year.
“I am not going to do anything,” Biden said after the conviction. “I will abide by the jury’s decision.”
Trump, however, has long speculated that such a pardon might occur, predicting in earlier remarks that Biden would ultimately protect his son. “I’ll bet you the father probably pardons him,” Trump remarked during an interview. “Let’s see what happens. But he’s a bad boy.”
