The White House reiterated on Friday that President Biden would not pardon his son Hunter Biden if he is convicted of a crime.
When asked if Biden would commute his son’s sentence if convicted on gun charges, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said no. This marks the first definitive answer the administration has given since Hunter Biden was formally charged on Thursday, though a similar message was first floated in July.
“I’ve answered this question before,” Jean-Pierre said, referencing the July briefing. “It was asked of me not too long ago, a couple of weeks ago, and I was very clear, and I said no.”
Hunter Biden was indicted on three felony gun charges, alleging that the younger Biden illegally purchased a gun while on drugs. The charges could carry a 10 year sentence if convicted.
His attorney has denied the charges, and said their constitutionality is “very much in doubt”
“It is a unique and unjustified charge. Hunter owned an unloaded gun for 11 days,” attorney Abbe Lowell said Thursday. “There has never been a charge like this that has been brought in the United States.”
The president’s son is also under investigation by a federal special counsel for alleged tax misconduct and by a Republican House investigation into prior business deals.
Special Counsel David Weiss stated in court filings that he intends to finalize charges related to the tax misconduct by the end of the month.
Republicans allege that Biden used his position to garner lucrative deals for his son. Members of the House GOP have used the claims to push for an impeachment inquiry against the president.
Meanwhile Trump sold people like Lil Wayne pardons for 2 million quid a pop and sprung Roger Stone and Paul Manafort.
Right? The precedent has been set, the president can use the pardon power for favors or profit or whatever. Biden should just call it a witch hunt, pardon Hunter, and everyone will forget in 2 weeks.
Problem is that it still damages the institutions and weakens the rule of law and democracy. The right always has an advantage because they want to destroy democracy while playing politics, whereas the center and left need to also protect democracy on top of playing politics.
