Breaking News: Outgoing President Biden Grants Presidential Pardon to Son Hunter
On December 1, 2024, President Joe Biden granted a presidential pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing for tax evasion and firearm possession. Biden defended the decision, claiming Hunter was unfairly targeted due to his political connections. The pardon sparked controversy, drawing criticism from President-elect Donald Trump as an injustice.
HASSAN BENYOUB 
In a shocking move, outgoing President Joe Biden announced on Sunday, December 1, 2024, that he has granted a presidential pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing in two separate cases involving tax evasion and illegal possession of firearms.
A Presidential Pardon: A Controversial Decision
President Biden defended his decision, stating, "No reasonable person who studies the facts of Hunter's case can come to any other conclusion: Hunter was targeted solely because he is my son, and that is wrong." He described the prosecution as a "miscarriage of justice."
In a statement, Biden added, "I said I would not interfere with the Department of Justice's decisions, and I have kept my word, even as I see my son being prosecuted in a selective and unfair manner." He claimed that the charges against his son were only brought after his political opponents in Congress urged them to do so in order to attack him and undermine his re-election.
A Reversal of Previous Statements
This move comes as a surprise, as President Biden had repeatedly stated that he would not grant his son a presidential pardon. The White House had also reaffirmed this stance in September. Hunter Biden had formally pleaded guilty to all nine counts of tax evasion and was scheduled to be sentenced on December 16.
Hunter Biden's Troubled Past
Hunter Biden has had a tumultuous year, spending part of 2024 in court. He was convicted in Delaware of lying about his drug use when purchasing a firearm, a felony.
Reaction from President-Elect Trump
President-elect Donald Trump responded to the pardon on his Truth Social platform, calling it an "abuse" and "miscarriage" of justice. He asked, "Does the pardon that Joe gave to Hunter include the J-6 hostages, who have been imprisoned for years?"
Table: Hunter Biden's Charges and Convictions
Charge
Conviction
Sentence
Tax Evasion (9 counts)
Guilty
Pending
Lying about Drug Use (Firearm Purchase)
Guilty
Convicted
List: Reactions to the Presidential Pardon
- President-elect Donald Trump: "Abuse" and "miscarriage" of justice
- White House: Reaffirmed President Biden's previous stance against granting a pardon in September
- Hunter Biden: Formally pleaded guilty to all nine counts of tax evasion
The presidential pardon has sparked controversy and raised questions about the fairness of the justice system. As the Biden administration comes to a close, this move is likely to be remembered as one of the most significant and contentious decisions of his presidency.
