Biden Shocks Nation By Pardoning Son Who Was Facing Sentencing For Two Criminal Cases, Blames ‘Raw Politics’ For His Legal Troubles

The pardon that’s dividing America and rewriting the rules of power.

Jesse

• Published in News
• December 4, 2024

The pardoning power of a U.S. president has always been a lightning rod for controversy. Think back to Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon or even Bill Clinton’s controversial clemency spree on his final day.

The spree involved 140 pardons and 36 commutations, which drew sharp criticism for perceived favoritism and political motivations. Now, 23 years later, another American president is set to follow Clinton’s footsteps—though this time, it’s striking much closer to home.

President Joe Biden’s recent decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, has turned up the political temperature in Washington to a boiling point. It’s a move that some are calling bold, others are labeling outrageous, and everyone is talking about.

Family ties have a way of complicating even the most straightforward decisions, but what happens when your son’s struggles collide with your presidency? For Joe Biden, this wasn’t just a political calculation; it was a deeply personal dilemma. 

His son, Hunter, has faced a very public battle with addiction and an equally public barrage of legal charges, from felony gun violations to tax evasion. 

Despite previously promising not to interfere, Biden announced on Sunday night that he was using his executive authority to grant his son a pardon—a decision he says wasn’t made lightly.

Father first, President second? Joe Biden defends his boldest Presidential decision yet

In his statement, Biden laid bare the emotional and political tightrope he’s been walking. “I believe in the justice system,” he said, “but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process.” 

The president described the charges against Hunter as politically motivated and accused his opponents of weaponizing his son’s struggles to undermine him. Biden framed the pardon not as a dismissal of justice but as a stand against what he called a “miscarriage of justice.”

While critics argue that Hunter received preferential treatment, Biden contends that his son was unfairly targeted as a way to ‘break him’ politically. “In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me — and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough." He said.

Hunter Biden vows to use his second chance to inspire others battling addiction

Hunter, in turn, expressed gratitude for the pardon, calling it an act of “mercy” and a chance to continue his life in recovery. He also condemned the way his past mistakes had been turned into political attacks and described his clemency as an opportunity to help others battling addiction.

As expected, the decision has set off a firestorm. President-Elect Donald Trump, never one to miss an opportunity for a jab, quickly took to Truth Social, accusing Biden of hypocrisy. He also demanded clemency for those charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack. 

“Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice." Trump wrote

Meanwhile, critics and supporters alike are debating whether this was an act of compassion or a misuse of presidential power.

Politics and family have always made for an explosive mix, and when you’re the President of the United States, that combination can send shockwaves through the nation. 

As expected, the pardon has amplified partisan divides and ignited debates about justice, accountability, and the limits of presidential authority. Whether history will see it as an act of courage or controversy remains to be seen, but for now, the nation is watching—and talking.

Jesse