Close Menu
WTX News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Netflix to add ITV’s ‘riveting’ crime drama everyone is obsessed with
    • Brook brilliance can’t mask issues for brittle England batting
    • Better Clasico star: Real Madrid’s Mbappé or Barcelona’s Yamal
    • I won Bruce Forsyth’s final Strictly series – I want the same with Tess and Claudia
    • King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, a haven for migratory birds and endangered species
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    WTX News
    • Live News
      • US News
      • EU News
      • UK News
      • Politics
      • COVID-19
      • Business
      • Tech zone
    • World news
      • Middle East News
        • UAE News
        • Palestine News
      • Europe
        • Italian News
        • Spanish News
      • Africa news
      • South America
      • North America
      • Asia
    • News Briefings
      • UK News Briefing
      • World News Briefing
      • Live Business News
    • Sports
      • Football News
      • Tennis
      • Women’s Football
    • MY World
      • Climate Change
      • In Review
      • Expose
      • Special Reports
        • Conscience Convoy
        • Rohingya Report
    • Entertainment
      • Insta Talk
      • Royal Family
      • Gaming News
      • TV Shows
      • Streaming
    • Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • Fashion
      • Cooking recipes
      • Luxury
      • Money Saving Expert
    • Travel
      • Culture
      • Holidays
    • Sign Up
      • Log In
    WTX News
    • Live News
    • World news
    • News Briefings
    • Sports
    • MY World
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Sign Up
    Home - News Briefing - Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to
    News Briefing Updated:December 2, 2024

    Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to

    By David Pike4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to

    President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on Sunday night, sparing the younger Mr Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family members.

    The Democratic president had previously said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence after his convictions in the two cases in Delaware and California.

    The move comes weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive his punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges, and less than two months before President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House.

    It caps a long-running legal saga for the president’s son, who publicly disclosed he was under federal investigation in December 2020 — a month after Joe Biden’s 2020 victory.

    In June, Mr Biden categorically ruled out a pardon or commutation for his son, telling reporters as his son faced trial in the Delaware gun case, “I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.”

    As recently as November 8, days after Trump’s victory, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre ruled out a pardon or clemency for the younger Mr Biden, saying, “We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no.”

    In a statement released on Sunday evening, Mr Biden  said, “Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” alleging that the prosecution of his son was politically motivated and a “miscarriage of justice.”

    “The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election,” Mr Biden said.

    “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son.”

    “I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision,” Mr Biden added, claiming he made the decision this weekend.

    The president had spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Nantucket, Massachusetts with Hunter and his family.

    He was convicted in June in Delaware federal court of three felonies for purchasing a gun in 2018 when prosecutors said, he lied on a federal form by claiming he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.

    He was set to stand trial in September in the California case accusing him of failing to pay at least 1.4 million dollars (£1.1 million) in taxes. But he agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanour and felony charges in a surprise move hours after jury selection was set to begin.

    Hunter Biden said he was pleading guilty in that case to spare his family more pain and embarrassment after the gun trial aired salacious details about his struggles with a crack cocaine addiction.

    The tax charges carry up to 17 years behind bars and the gun charges are punishable by up to 25 years in prison, though federal sentencing guidelines were expected to call for far less time and it was possible he would avoid prison time entirely.

    Hunter Biden  said in an emailed statement that he will never take for granted the relief granted to him and vowed to devote the life he has rebuilt “to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”

    “I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction – mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport,” the younger Mr Biden said.

    A spokesperson for special counsel David Weiss, who brought the cases, did not respond to messages seeking comment from AP on Sunday night.

    News Just in

    Netflix to add ITV’s ‘riveting’ crime drama everyone is obsessed with

    Savanah Al Badri

    Cliff Notes – Netflix to add ITV’s ‘riveting’ crime drama everyone is obsessed with Return to Streaming: The award-winning series Broadchurch will be available on

    Read More »

    Brook brilliance can’t mask issues for brittle England batting

    WTX Sports Team

    Cliff Notes – Brook brilliance can’t mask issues for brittle England batting Harry Brook’s explosive 135 runs from 101 balls showcased his talent, but highlighted

    Read More »

    featured Main Headlines Trending Politics US featured US politics US Trending News World News
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Previous ArticleOnly 50 more frontline gardaí this year despite recruitment campaigns
    Next Article Joe Biden pardons his son Hunter on gun, tax charges
    David Pike

    David Pike is an experienced news journalist with over 20 years experience as a UK News editor for WTX News and other news publications.

    Related Posts

    US hits alleged drug-smuggling boats in Pacific, killing 5
    World News

    US hits alleged drug-smuggling boats in Pacific, killing 5

    Advice to feed babies peanuts early and often helped 60,000 kids avoid allergies, study finds
    Health & Wellness

    Advice to feed babies peanuts early and often helped 60,000 kids avoid allergies, study finds

    Prince William plans ‘ruthless approach’ towards Prince Andrew
    USA News

    Prince William plans ‘ruthless approach’ towards Prince Andrew

    Lionel Messi’s final-day hat trick clinches MLS Golden Boot
    Football

    Lionel Messi’s final-day hat trick clinches MLS Golden Boot

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Advertisment
    News Headlines

    King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, a haven for migratory birds and endangered species

    Saudi Arabia attends forest management talks in Istanbul

    Saudi Arabia attends forest management talks in Istanbul

    Save 70% on VIP subscription
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    Advert by Sponsors
    More from WTX News
    The latest gaming news - with game reviews and tips and tricks. updated 24 hours a day.
    The latest gaming news
    Hot off the press!
    • Netflix to add ITV’s ‘riveting’ crime drama everyone is obsessed with October 26, 2025
    • Brook brilliance can’t mask issues for brittle England batting October 26, 2025
    • Better Clasico star: Real Madrid’s Mbappé or Barcelona’s Yamal October 26, 2025
    • I won Bruce Forsyth’s final Strictly series – I want the same with Tess and Claudia October 26, 2025
    • King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, a haven for migratory birds and endangered species October 26, 2025
    WTX News latest breaking news sports and travel
    Latest News and analysis - Deciphering through the BS with exclusive News Briefings
    Facebook X (Twitter) TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • EU News
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • News Briefing
    • Live News

    Company

    • About WTX News
    • Register
    • Advertising
    • Work with us
    • Contact
    • Community
    • GDPR Policy
    • Privacy

    Services

    • Fitness for free
    • Insta Talk
    • How to guides
    • Climate Change
    • In Review
    • Expose
    • NEWS SUMMARY
    • Money Saving Expert

    News delivered to your inbox

    Copyright WTX News 2025

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.