U.S. President Joe Biden announced that he has granted a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, defending the decision as a response to what he described as politically motivated and unjust legal proceedings against him.
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” Biden stated in a Sunday evening message. “Since I took office, I have said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I have upheld that promise, even while witnessing my son being unfairly and selectively prosecuted.”
Biden emphasized that many individuals involved in similar offenses are rarely prosecuted to the extent Hunter was. “Without aggravating factors such as criminal use, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never charged with a felony simply for how they filled out a gun form,” the President noted.
Additionally, Biden pointed out that people who have been late on their taxes due to addiction but have made efforts to settle their debts are typically not prosecuted as Hunter was. “Clearly, Hunter was treated differently,” Biden added.
Biden also stated that the charges against Hunter were initiated after political opponents in Congress pressured for action against him in an effort to undermine his presidency. He mentioned that a plea deal, negotiated with the Department of Justice, collapsed under political pressure, though it had offered a fair and reasonable resolution to the case.
The President argued that no reasonable person reviewing the facts could conclude that Hunter was prosecuted for anything other than his connection to Biden. “They’ve tried to break Hunter, who has been sober for five and a half years, despite relentless attacks and selective prosecution,” Biden said.
“In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me – and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here,” Biden added. “Enough is enough.”
Concluding his statement, Biden reflected on his longstanding commitment to truth and fairness. He acknowledged the personal and professional challenges involved in the case but defended his decision to pardon his son. “I believe in the justice system,” Biden concluded, hoping that Americans would understand the rationale behind his choice.
“I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would make this decision,” Biden finished.