US President Joe Biden has granted his son, Hunter Biden, a full and unconditional pardon, reversing his earlier stance of not intervening in his son’s legal matters. The pardon, announced on Sunday, covers federal gun and tax charges Hunter Biden faced for offences committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024, including all offences charged or prosecuted (including any that have resulted in convictions) by Special Counsel David Weiss.

Gun charges

In June, Hunter Biden was convicted in Delaware on three felony counts related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018. He had falsely claimed on his gun-purchase form that he was not using illicit drugs at the time. The charges stemmed from a lengthy investigation into Hunter’s actions, which were tied to his personal struggles with addiction. Despite these circumstances, the case was pursued in federal court, resulting in a conviction.
President Biden defended his son’s actions, claiming that such cases are typically resolved without criminal penalties, especially when drug addiction is involved. Hunter Biden, who Joe Biden claimed has been sober for over five years, faced these charges while in recovery.

Tax violations

In September, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to nine tax offences, related to over $1.4 million in unpaid taxes from income he spent on lavish expenses, including escorts, drugs, and cars. The charges were filed after a lengthy investigation started in 2018. Hunter’s legal team argued that he was unfairly targeted by Republicans, with some suggesting the case was politically motivated to damage Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. The pardon granted by Joe Biden eliminates any possibility of Hunter facing prison time for these tax violations.
President Biden’s decision to pardon his son and use of executive authority has been met with mixed reactions, but he maintained that Hunter was subjected to unfair prosecution. “Hunter was treated differently,” the president said, pointing to political motives behind the charges.