President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he has pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing this month for federal tax and gun convictions. The pardon marks a significant reversal for the president, as he prepares to leave office.
In a statement, President Biden said, “Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” calling it a “full and unconditional pardon.” The executive grant of clemency eliminates any future prosecution related to Hunter Biden’s criminal cases and is not subject to reversal by President-elect Donald Trump.
The decision to pardon Hunter Biden comes after the president had previously stated, both before and after dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, that he would not issue a pardon for his son. This pardon means Hunter Biden will not face sentencing for his crimes, and the scheduled hearings—set for December 12 in the gun case and December 16 in the tax case—are likely to be canceled.
The pardon also extends to any potential federal crimes Hunter Biden may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024, a period that covers his time on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma and other foreign business dealings. These activities have drawn scrutiny, with former President Donald Trump frequently calling for prosecution over Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine and China.
In response to the pardon, Hunter Biden’s lawyers informed the courts Sunday evening, stating that the pardon “requires dismissal of the indictment against him with prejudice” and the adjournment of all future proceedings in his cases.
In his statement, President Biden defended his decision, asserting that his son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted.” The president claimed Hunter Biden was treated differently from others convicted of similar crimes and accused political opponents in Congress of instigating the charges to undermine his presidency. “I believe in the justice system, but I also believe raw politics has infected this process and led to a miscarriage of justice,” he said. “I hope Americans will understand why a father and a president would come to this decision.”
However, Hunter Biden’s claims of selective prosecution were previously rejected by two federal judges. The judge overseeing his gun case in Delaware had called the theory “nonsensical.”
In response to the pardon, Trump criticized the move, calling it “such an abuse and miscarriage of justice!” On social media, Trump also humorously asked whether the pardon would extend to his supporters who participated in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, suggesting he would pardon them if he returns to office.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles stem from charges related to tax evasion and illegal possession of a firearm, which he admitted to in a plea agreement earlier this year.
