President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, has stirred a significant debate across the United States. Many Americans are now calling for the president to extend the same clemency to Donald Trump, who faces legal challenges of his own.
On Sunday night, Biden made a surprising announcement that he would issue a full presidential pardon for Hunter, erasing any federal crimes he may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. This decision, described by Biden as an act of fairness and justice, has drawn both support and criticism. It also marked a sharp contrast to earlier statements from the White House, which had repeatedly denied that a pardon for Hunter was being considered.
The scope of the pardon is extensive, covering Hunter’s guilty plea in a tax case and charges related to a firearm. It also includes protection for any alleged wrongdoing during his business dealings in Ukraine and China, including his time on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma.
Biden’s Defense of His Decision
Defending his controversial decision, Biden accused his political opponents of using his son’s legal troubles as a weapon against him. He explained that his son’s prosecution was both selective and unfair, claiming that most people are not charged with felonies for errors on gun forms. Biden said this case was handled differently because of Hunter’s connection to him.
“No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than that Hunter was singled out only because he is my son. That is wrong,” Biden said.
The president also expressed frustration with how the case had been turned into a spectacle by his opponents. He accused some members of Congress of politicizing the charges to damage his presidency. Biden stressed that his love for his son played a role in his decision, but he insisted it was also a matter of principle.
“I believe in the justice system, but I also believe raw politics has infected this process, leading to a miscarriage of justice. Once I made this decision, there was no sense in delaying it further,” he said.
Public Reaction and Calls to Pardon Trump
Biden’s announcement has sparked intense discussions online. Many Americans argue that if Hunter was pardoned because of perceived political motives behind his prosecution, Trump should receive the same treatment. Trump, who faces legal challenges including a conviction in New York for hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, has been portrayed by some of his supporters as a victim of politically motivated cases.
Social media was flooded with calls for Biden to pardon Trump. On X (formerly Twitter), venture capitalist Mike Solana wrote, “Biden should just pardon Trump now, tell Pelosi to get f**ked, retire a legend.”
Another commentator, Fischer King, argued, “Of course Joe Biden is pardoning his son. You’d do the same thing. What he should also do is pardon Trump of all federal crimes, give a speech saying political lawfare must end, and then lean on governors to pardon Trump of any and all state crimes.”
Others echoed the sentiment, highlighting the parallels between the two situations. One user wrote, “Biden says Hunter was prosecuted for political reasons. OK, Joe. In that case, you should pardon Trump. What’s good for the goose…”
Despite these calls, not all of Trump’s cases fall under Biden’s authority. For example, Trump’s conviction in the hush money case is a state crime in New York, meaning only the state’s governor can issue a pardon. However, Trump also faces federal charges related to election interference, which Biden could potentially pardon.
Hunter Biden’s Reaction
Hunter Biden released a heartfelt statement following his pardon, acknowledging the mistakes he made during his struggles with addiction. Referring to himself by his full name, Robert Hunter Biden, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to rebuild his life.
“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,” Hunter said.
He credited his family’s unwavering support and his faith for helping him maintain sobriety for over five years. He pledged to use his second chance to help others battling addiction.
“In recovery, we are given opportunities to make amends and rebuild our lives. I will never take for granted the clemency I have been given and will devote my life to helping those who are still suffering.”
Biden’s Perspective on Justice and Family
Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter was deeply personal, but he insisted it was also fair. He revealed that the years-long investigation into his son had been emotionally draining for the entire family.
“In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me—and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough,” he said.
The president acknowledged the difficulty of balancing his role as a father with his duties as a leader.
“I hope Americans will understand why a father and a president would come to this decision,” he said.
The Bigger Picture
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles had been a focal point for critics of the Biden administration. The Justice Department had initially proposed a plea deal for Hunter, but it fell apart under political pressure. Biden argued that this was another sign of the politicization of the justice system.
The pardon has also reignited debates about whether political motivations are influencing high-profile legal cases. While Biden’s supporters see the pardon as an act of fairness, critics view it as a conflict of interest.
Meanwhile, Trump’s legal battles continue to unfold. Whether Biden will act on public calls to pardon Trump remains uncertain, but the conversation has added another layer of complexity to an already divided political landscape.
