President Joe Biden if facing backlash after he pardoned his son Hunter Biden — even from his supporters.
Despite previously saying he would not pardon his son, the president did just that over the weekend.
Per Fox News, the White House made a statement on Sunday night, stating the pardon applies to offenses the younger Biden “has committed or may have committed” from Jan. 1, 2014 to Dec. 1, 2024. Hunter Biden was convicted in two separate federal cases.
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. 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,” President Biden wrote in a statement.
The outgoing president continued in claiming his son was “treated differently”:
“Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form. Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently.”
The president was slammed by his supporters and high-profile Democrats for the decision.
Joe Walsh wrote on X, “Shame on you,” and called it “plain wrong” and “stupidly selfish.”
Check out a few of the reactions below:
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) wrote on X, “While as a father I certainly understand President @JoeBiden ’s natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country.”
“This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,” he added. “When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation. Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles while also acknowledging that no one is above the law, not a President and not a President’s son.”
Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) wrote on X that he respects President Biden, but “he got this one wrong.”
“This wasn’t a politically-motivated prosecution,” Stanton said. “Hunter committed felonies, and was convicted by a jury of his peers.”
Republican lawmakers also reacted to the pardon:
President Biden stood firm on his decision, ending his statement on the pardon: “For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth. They’ll be fair-minded. Here’s the truth: I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice – and once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further. I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision.”
Hunter Biden said in a statement to Fox News: “I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction — mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport. Despite all of this, I have maintained my sobriety for more than five years because of my deep faith and the unwavering love and support of my family and friends.”
He continued: “In the throes of addiction, I squandered many opportunities and advantages. In recovery we can be given the opportunity to make amends where possible and rebuild our lives if we never take for granted the mercy that we have been afforded. 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.”
