President Joe Biden has ruled out pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, but what about commuting his sentence?
During a press gaggle aboard Air Force One after the younger Biden was found guilty of three felony charges for illegally purchasing a firearm, a reporter asked White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, “[The president] has said that he has ruled out pardoning his son. But I wondered about a commutation, whether would be something that would be on the table?”
“So look, as I stated at the top, I don’t have anything to say — to your first question — beyond what the president’s statement was yesterday,” Jean-Pierre responded. “He’s been very clear, we’ve been very clear, he loves his son.”
Another reporter asked, “You’re not ruling out that Biden would commute Hunter’s sentence?”
“What I’m saying is that… I have not spoken to the president about this. And what I’m saying is, he was asked about a pardon. He was asked about… the trial specifically, and he answered it very clearly,” Jean-Pierre said.
She added, “As we know, the sentencing hasn’t even been scheduled yet. I don’t have anything beyond what the president’s said.”
In a statement on after Hunter Biden’s guilty verdict on Tuesday, the president said, “As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery.”
“As I also said last week, I will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our. love and support. Nothing will ever change that.”
Last week, he implied he would not pardon his son if he was convicted.
However, Jean-Pierre’s comments mark a shift from an answer she previously gave to a similar question.
In September, she was asked if Hunter Biden would receive a pardon or have his sentence commuted.
“I’ve answered this question before. It was asked of me not too long ago, a couple of weeks ago, and I was very clear, and I said no,” the press secretary answered.
