Hunter Biden’s first son acknowledged on Sunday, after his father President Joe Biden pardoned him, that he has “accepted responsibility” for his errors, which have been “used to publicly embarrass and shame me and my family for political gain.”
The 54-year-old Hunter Biden was convicted in two federal cases earlier this year – first in June on three felony charges for federal gun violations and then in September in a separate felony tax case.
“During the darkest days of my addiction, I have admitted to and accepted responsibility for my mistakes – mistakes that have been used to publicly shame and humiliate me and my family for political purposes,” Hunter Biden stated in a message to Fox News. “Despite all of this, I have remained sober for over five years thanks to my strong faith and the unwavering love and support of my family and friends.”
“In my struggles with addiction, I wasted many opportunities and advantages,” he continued. “In recovery, we are given the chance to apologize where possible and rebuild our lives, always appreciating the mercy we have received. I will not take the clemency granted to me today for granted and I will dedicate my rebuilt life to helping those who are still suffering.”
BIDEN PARDONS SON HUNTER BIDEN AHEAD OF EXIT FROM WHITE HOUSE
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, leaves the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 3, 2024, in Wilmington, Delaware. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The President’s pardon of his son, announced by the White House on Sunday night, covers offenses committed by Hunter Biden against the U.S. from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 1, 2024.
“Today, I granted a pardon to my son Hunter,” Biden said in a statement. “Since the day I took office, I have stated that I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decisions, and I have kept my promise even as I have witnessed my son being selectively and unfairly prosecuted.”
The outgoing President also claimed that his son was given different treatment in his criminal cases.
“People are rarely prosecuted on felony charges solely for inaccuracies in a gun form without aggravating factors such as using the gun in a crime, making multiple purchases, or acting as a straw buyer,” the statement noted. “Those who were late in paying taxes due to serious addictions, but subsequently paid with interest and penalties, typically receive non-criminal resolutions. It is evident that Hunter was treated differently.”
President Biden suggested that the cases against his son were a result of opposition from Republicans and his victory in the 2020 election against President-elect Donald Trump.
“The charges against him were initiated by some of my political opponents in Congress to attack me and undermine my election,” the President explained. “Subsequently, a plea deal negotiated by the Department of Justice fell apart in court – with several political opponents in Congress claiming credit for exerting political pressure. If the plea deal had held, it would have been a fair and reasonable resolution of Hunter’s cases.”
BIDEN WON’T PARDON HUNTER, WHITE HOUSE REAFFIRMS, BUT CRITICS AREN’T SO SURE
President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden embrace on stage at the end of the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
“A reasonable examination of the facts of Hunter’s cases can lead to the conclusion that Hunter was singled out simply because he is my son – and that is unjust,” he reiterated. “There has been an attempt to break Hunter – who has been sober for five and a half years despite continuous attacks and selective prosecution. By attempting to break Hunter, they have attempted to break me – and there is no indication that it will end here. Enough is enough.”
The President also attributed “raw politics” to the prosecutions against his son.
“Throughout my career, I have adhered to a simple principle: tell the American people the truth,” he stated. “They will be fair. Here is the truth: I have faith in the justice system, but as I have grappled with this, I also believe that raw politics has tainted this process, leading to a miscarriage of justice – and once I made this decision over the weekend, there was no reason to delay any further.”
He concluded by saying: “I hope Americans will understand the reasons behind a father and a President reaching this decision.”
A court document obtained by Fox News revealed that Hunter Biden signed a legal acknowledgment of the pardon.
President Biden’s choice to pardon his son contrasts with multiple statements he made to the media over the summer, asserting that he would not grant a pardon to his son.
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, attends an event celebrating the 2024 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington D.C., on September 30, 2024. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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In the gun case, Hunter Biden was found guilty of making false statements in the purchase of a gun, making false statements related to information required by a federally licensed gun dealer, and possessing a gun while being an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.
Prosecutors aimed to demonstrate that he lied on a federal firearm form in October 2018 when he checked a “No” box when asked if he was an unlawful substance user or addicted to controlled substances.
The other trial involved three felony tax offenses and six misdemeanor tax offenses due to the failure to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. Just as jury selection was about to start in Los Angeles federal court, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty.
Previously, Trump mentioned during his campaign that he would consider pardoning Hunter Biden.
