Hunter Biden says he will not take the pardon bestowed upon him for mistakes he made for granted — adding those mistakes were then exploited politically to bring shame to the Biden family.
“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,” Hunter Biden said in a statement provided to Fox News on Sunday.
Hunter Biden was convicted in two federal cases earlier this year.
In June, he was found guilty on three felony charges for federal gun violations. Then, in September, the 54-year-old Biden pleaded guilty to tax evasion.
The first son, who was pardoned by his father Sunday night, said he has remained sober with help from his family.
“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,” Hunter Biden said.
He also acknowledged the mistakes he has made and will not take his pardon for granted.
“In the throes of addiction, I squandered many opportunities and advantages,” he said. “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.”
Hunter Biden was pardoned for offenses he “has committed or may have committed” from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 1, 2024.
President Biden granted the pardon after saying for months he would not.
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” Biden said. “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 said his son “treated differently” in his criminal cases that have plagued the family for years.
“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,” the president said. “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 pointed to “raw politics” as the reason for his son being prosecuted.
“For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth,” he said. “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,” the president said.
President-elect Donald Trump had previously said he would consider pardoning Hunter Biden.
Trump takes office on Jan. 20, 2025.
