On Sunday, December 2, President Joe Biden pardoned his son Robert Hunter Biden of conviction related to gun crimes and tax violations. This takes Hunter Biden out of sentencing and possible imprisonment over the two crimes.
President Biden, in a statement, cited several examples of individuals in similar situations, like those who “committed tax crimes rooted in their addictions, where their cases were resolved without the commission of a crime.”. He said that his son had been treated differently from others, having been indicted on felony charges in the absence of any aggravating factors. Like using the gun in the commission of a crime or purchasing many guns. The president explained that those who fall behind in their taxes because of their addiction and pay eventually with interest and penalties rarely face prosecution. He insisted that another standard had been applied to his son.
While the president defended his son’s innocence, he said he had not interfered with the Justice Department’s decisions and had kept his promise not to interfere with justice. He explained that since taking office, he had promised not to interfere with the decisions of the department in any manner. Even while he watched what he termed the “selective and unfair prosecution” of his son.
Biden said the case against Hunter Biden was driven by political foes in Congress. And that the Justice Department had pre-negotiated a plea deal that blew up in court due to political intervention. Some members of Congress have bragged publicly about how much pressure they had applied. Causing the plea agreement to collapse, the president continued. Biden believed that, under this deal, it had remained a fair and reasonable agreement.
He claimed his charges against Hunter were politically supported. Hunter was being investigated more for being his son rather than anything else. Joe Biden said that all because of this relation; the “son has been singled out”, which is absolutely an injustice. Although Hunter had remained sober for five years, the president excoriated what he said were endless efforts to “smear” his son in a bid to “get to me.” He insisted it was not just about his son. It was part of a larger effort to make him “illegitimate” with the people.
To President Biden, it epitomized political interference in the legal process. He added that while he had a deep respect for the justice system. He again cited political motives for the pressures in the case of his son as a “miscarriage of justice.” Also he stated that since the decision for the pardon had been reached, there was no further need to wait. He hopes Americans will understand why he, as a father and president, has done this.
The pardon is well-timed, as President Biden is about to leave the White House. And Donald Trump prepares to start his second term beginning in January 2025. But the incoming president cannot revoke the pardon.
The son of the Vice President had in June been convicted of one count of knowingly. And unlawfully buying and possessing a firearm despite his struggles with drug addiction. In September, Biden had pleaded guilty to nine tax-related charges for spending lavishly on escorts, strippers, cars, and drugs, having failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes.
By pardoning his son, President Biden made clear his belief that Hunter Biden had been unjustly prosecuted and politically persecuted. The full pardon will prevent any sentencing, showcasing how politics still can influence the process.
ANI
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