© The Australian News
US President Joe Biden has granted a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, for federal tax and gun charges. The decision comes despite Biden’s repeated public statements that he would not interfere in the Justice Department’s handling of his son’s case. Hunter Biden had pleaded guilty to tax misdemeanors and faced charges related to an illegal gun purchase. The White House previously insisted that no pardon would be issued.
President Biden justified his decision by claiming his son was unfairly targeted due to his political connections. He argued that Hunter’s legal troubles stemmed from politically motivated prosecutions designed to damage his presidential campaign and presidency. This assertion has been met with strong criticism from Republicans, who view the pardon as an abuse of power and a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
The pardon covers a range of offenses spanning ten years and includes charges brought by Special Counsel David Weiss. This wide-ranging pardon has raised concerns about potential implications for future legal proceedings and is likely to fuel ongoing political debate surrounding the Biden family’s business dealings.
Republican Congressman James Comer criticized the pardon, suggesting that the evidence against Hunter Biden represents only a small portion of a larger pattern of wrongdoing. He accused the Biden family of avoiding accountability for alleged misconduct. The pardon is expected to dominate political headlines in the coming weeks and could significantly impact public perception of the Biden presidency.
