Outgoing US President Joe Biden’s decision to issue a sweeping pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, has sparked intense backlash, with President-elect Donald Trump and his allies accusing Biden of abusing his presidential powers.
The pardon, announced on Monday (AEDT), spares President’s son Hunter Biden from potential prison sentences for federal felony convictions on gun charges and tax evasion. It marks a significant reversal from Biden’s prior commitments not to intervene in his son’s legal matters.
“No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son,” Biden stated, decrying the legal actions as a “miscarriage of justice.”
Taking to Truth Social, Trump condemned the pardon as a blatant misuse of power, questioning whether Biden’s clemency would extend to “January 6 hostages.” Trump’s allies echoed his sentiments, with figures like James Comer accusing Biden of shielding his family from accountability. “Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?” he asked on the Truth Social platform.
“Such an abuse and miscarriage of justice!”
“Joe Biden assured Americans he wouldn’t pardon Hunter. Now he’s doing exactly that—breaking his word and undermining justice,” American commentator Clay Travis tweeted.
While some conservative commentators criticised the move, others expressed nuanced views. Charlie Kirk remarked,
“A father should look after his son… This might be the one thing Joe Biden truly cares about.”
Hunter Biden, convicted of lying about his drug use while purchasing a firearm and pleading guilty to tax evasion, admitted his actions but highlighted his efforts to overcome addiction. His legal team also released a 52-page white paper titled The Political Prosecutions of Hunter Biden. “I have admitted responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction,” Hunter said.
“I will never take the clemency I have been granted for granted.”
Biden’s critics argue the pardon sets a troubling precedent, with Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung accusing the Justice Department of being weaponised against political opponents. He pointed out that Delaware US Attorney David Weiss was elevated to the rank of special counsel to refile charges, which he did in Delaware and Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Biden insists his decision was driven by fairness and his role as a father. “I believe in the justice system,” Biden said, “but raw politics infected this process. Enough is enough.”
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