United States President Joe Biden recently announced that he granted his son, Hunter Biden, a full and unconditional pardon.
Tribune Online reports that Hunter, who was awaiting sentencing for federal tax and firearm charges, will no longer face prison time.
The decision has sparked intense political debate as President Biden approaches the end of his term.
The clemency order covers not only the charges Hunter was facing but also any federal crimes he may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024.
The Constitution exclusively grants the US president the authority to issue pardons for federal crimes, stating: “… he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.”
In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at eight facts you should know about the case.
The charges against Hunter Biden arose during a difficult period in his life, marked by drug addiction. He faced three charges for lying on a federal firearms form while buying a handgun in 2018. He was also indicted on nine counts of tax evasion, accused of failing to pay around $1.4 million in taxes while spending heavily on drugs, escorts, and personal luxuries from 2016 to 2019.
The pardon is described as “full and unconditional,” covering all federal crimes Hunter may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. It specifically includes the gun charges and tax offences for which he was recently convicted.
President Biden defended the pardon, stating that Hunter was “selectively and unfairly prosecuted” because he is the president’s son. He argued that his opponents in Congress politically drove the charges to damage his presidency.
The pardon cancels any sentencing hearings previously scheduled for December 2024, ensuring Hunter Biden will not face prison time. His legal team has formally notified the courts, requesting all charges be dismissed based on the clemency order.
Before issuing the pardon, President Biden had repeatedly said he would not interfere with the legal process concerning his son. This reversal has drawn criticism from political rivals and some allies, who see it as a violation of his pledge to respect the justice system’s independence.
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Hunter, in a statement, expressed gratitude for the pardon and admitted to past mistakes. He highlighted his commitment to recovery and supporting others with similar struggles, noting that the legal proceedings brought significant public shame to him and his family.
Hunter’s pardon is not without precedent. Past presidents have used clemency powers for family members. For example, Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton, and Donald Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, his son-in-law’s father.
The pardon has drawn sharp criticism, especially from Republican leaders who accuse President Biden of hypocrisy and politicising justice. Former President Donald Trump called it an “abuse and miscarriage of justice.”
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