President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted on federal gun charges and is due for sentencing Dec. 12.
Despite the White House’s assurances last month that the president had no intentions of pardoning his son, the announcement came through on Sunday evening that he had pardoned him.
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, leaves court after his guilty plea in his trail on tax evasion in Los Angeles, Sept. 5, 2024.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
In a statement, he wrote, “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.”
Asked about the president’s intentions to pardon Hunter Biden on Nov. 7, shortly after the election results came through in favor of Donald Trump, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no.”
She declined to comment on any other pardons the president may make before the end of his term, including any administration officials or people threatened by President-elect Donald Trump with legal action.
President Biden had also previously told ABC News’ David Muir that he did not intend to pardon his son, during an interview in June.
He said, at the time, that he would accept the results of the trial.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.