WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden issued a controversial pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday, sparking immediate criticism from political opponents and paving the way for further national debate.
President-elect Donald Trump, citing the pardon as a “miscarriage of justice,” vowed to pardon all individuals convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot when he takes office next month.
Hunter Biden had been facing federal prison time for several charges, including felony tax crimes in California and firearm-related offenses in Delaware. In a statement, President Biden defended his actions, arguing that the Justice Department had unfairly targeted his son for political reasons.
Trump took to Truth Social late Sunday, asserting that Biden’s pardon was a misuse of executive power.
“Does the pardon given by Joe [Biden] to Hunter [Biden] include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” Trump wrote.
More than 1,000 individuals have been convicted for their involvement in the Jan. 6 riot, which sought to disrupt the certification of Biden’s 2020 election victory. Trump, who has long maintained the riot was an overreaction to alleged voter fraud, had previously stated he would “absolutely” pardon those involved.
The White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated Monday that Biden’s decision to pardon his son was not influenced by political strategy, calling the allegations “baseless.” Nonetheless, the pardon has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, called the pardon “a bad precedent.”
Trump’s incoming communications chief, Steven Cheung, echoed these sentiments, labeling the Justice Department as “weaponized” and promising to restore “due process” under Trump’s administration.
The pardon follows a failed plea deal in Hunter Biden’s case earlier this year, which unraveled amid political pressures. President Biden, who dropped out of the election bid, remains unapologetic, stating that he acted as a father who believed in his son’s innocence.
Trump, set to be inaugurated in January, has yet to clarify specific actions he will take regarding those convicted of federal crimes related to Jan. 6.
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