President Joe Biden announced on Sunday his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, following months of legal battles and political controversy. Sources close to the White House revealed that the pardon was not a spur-of-the-moment decision but had been carefully planned for over three months.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles began with his conviction on three gun-related charges in June 2024. Despite initial confidence from Hunter’s legal team regarding a separate trial on nine tax-related charges, he unexpectedly entered a guilty plea in September. According to sources with direct knowledge, the plea was made with the understanding that President Biden would later issue a pardon.
The turning point reportedly came in June 2023, when a judge rejected a plea deal for Hunter, a decision that sources say left President Biden “agitated” and convinced his son was being used as a political pawn. This belief played a significant role in shaping the president’s decision to intervene.
In a press release accompanying the pardon, President Biden criticized the perceived politicization of the legal system in his son’s case. “Other individuals convicted of similar crimes would have received non-criminal resolutions,” Biden wrote, asserting that Hunter was treated differently due to his family ties.
The pardon contrasts sharply with statements Biden made earlier this year, when he vowed not to interfere in his son’s legal troubles. While sources indicate this was true at the time, they suggest the evolving circumstances and the president’s concerns over fairness led to a change of heart.
