To what extent should family matters extend to politics, especially for a position as powerful and symbolic as the President of the United States? In a decision that pushes presidential boundaries, President Biden has pardoned his own son, Hunter Biden, freeing him from potentially serving jail time for felony gun and tax fraud convictions. Despite having previously pledged not to do so in order to uphold a respect for the law, President Biden made this landmark decision on December 2nd, citing how he felt that “raw politics [had infected] this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice”. Hunter Biden’s pardon not only covers his two convictions but also extends to any offenses against the United States he may have committed from January 1, 2014 to December 1, 2024. In response to the pardon, Hunter Biden has promised to take responsibility for his mistakes, claiming, “I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”
Hunter Biden was found guilty in June due to the illegal purchase of a firearm while addicted to cocaine. Three months later, he pleaded guilty to tax evasion. Hunter Biden has also drawn controversy from the public due to his involvement in some shady foreign business in Ukraine energy company Burisma Holdings as well as Chinese private equity firm BHR.
This decision comes as a shock to many as, as recently as November 8th, right after the election, Press Secretary Karrine Jean-Pierre asserted, “We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no”. However, it is important to note that the context of the situation is important. The most election result was a monumental decision for both the Democratic party and Republican party, and President Trump is a convicted felon, who has had a history of pardoning those close to him (for example Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, in 2020). However, with the circumstances, this pardon has rightfully drawn criticism. “Does the pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” Trump wrote on a Truth Social Post following the pardon.
