It was a shock to many when President Biden decided to grant an unconditional pardon to his son Hunter, a convicted felon, especially after promising multiple times that he wouldn’t take such an action. Over the past months, whenever Biden or his press secretary was questioned about the possibility of a pardon, they firmly denied it was on the table.
This turn of events undermines one of Biden’s commonly used phrases, “I give you my word as a Biden.”
Hunter, who had been looking at a possible lengthy prison term for tax evasion and providing false information on a federal firearms application, now has the freedom to continue his somewhat controversial career as an artist known for his high-priced works.
Initially, upon hearing the news about Hunter’s pardon, I found myself thinking, “Good for you, Joe! Why should you stick to the rules when those aligned with Trump regularly flout them? Let those who backed a figure like Trump, with his legal troubles, experience a taste of their own medicine for a change.”
Yet on further reflection, the situation is far from straightforward.
How can we justly criticize Trump and his associates for seemingly escaping accountability while cheering Biden’s decision to pardon his son for crimes he either confessed to or was found guilty of?
Is it consistent to express outrage over Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, receiving a $2 billion investment from Saudi interests with dubious reputations, and yet be unbothered by Hunter Biden earning millions from Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company under investigation while his father managed White House policies concerning Ukraine?
What stands out is the broad issue of how children of wealth and influence often sidestep consequences for actions that are illegal, unethical, or morally questionable—enabled by their closeness to power. It’s an ongoing cycle of privilege.
Hunter Biden faced charges for lying on a firearm purchase form, falsely claiming he wasn’t using drugs at the time—despite his own memoir detailing his severe coke and meth addiction. He also faced counts of dodging over a million dollars in taxes, which he has since settled, including the added penalties and interest.
Was Hunter unfairly targeted? Possibly, but his legal violations are undeniable.
In his statement about the pardon, President Biden noted, “Without factors like using a gun in a crime, making multiple purchases, or acting as a straw purchaser, it’s almost unheard of for someone to be tried on felony charges solely on the basis of filling out a gun form incorrectly. Individuals late on taxes due to serious addictions often resolve these issues without criminal charges, provided they settle their dues with interest and penalties.”
This is factual, which is likely why the initial government offer allowed Hunter to bypass imprisonment by pleading guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and entering into a program to avoid prosecution for his gun purchase lie.
However, last year a federal judge halted the plea deal, unwilling to approve an unconventional and complicated agreement formed without her consultation. Republicans then jumped in, arguing through an amicus brief that the agreement was too soft and politicized by the Biden administration.
With the deal on shaky ground, Attorney General Merrick Garland assigned a special counsel to the case. Shortly after, in September 2023, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy initiated an impeachment inquiry into Biden, alleging he had misled the public regarding his awareness of Hunter’s business dealings.
Ultimately, the House report concluded that Hunter capitalized on his father’s name for financial gain—hardly a revelation.
Last summer, in a sensational trial that exposed Hunter’s addiction, reckless habits, and extravagant spending, a federal jury convicted him on three felony charges connected to his falsified gun application. In September, Hunter chose to spare his family the ordeal of another trial by pleading guilty to nine federal tax violations.
President Biden remarked in his statement, “There has been an effort to break Hunter — who has maintained sobriety for five and a half years despite constant attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me — and there’s no reason to believe it will end here. Enough is enough.”
While Hunter may have faced disproportionate scrutiny, he undeniably made serious errors. President Biden, who frequently speaks about preserving the nation’s integrity, has revealed his willingness to manipulate justice to his advantage. I expected more from him.
Bluesky: @rabcarian.bsky.social. Threads: @rabcarian
