Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Kris Connor
Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, recently pleaded guilty to tax charges and is awaiting sentencing, making him the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a felony. Hunter’s legal issues, including a conviction for using illegal drugs while in possession of a firearm, have made headlines, and former President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of a pardon if he is reelected.
In a conversation with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump commented, “I wouldn’t take it off the books,” noting that despite Hunter’s past behavior, he thinks it’s “very bad for our country” to continually escalate such cases. The Trump campaign has frequently spotlighted Hunter Biden’s legal troubles, often framing them within the broader narrative of what it calls the “Biden crime family.”
According to Politico, Trump’s social media presence has leaned heavily on the narrative, though Trump showed a rare instance of lenience by suggesting he might consider a pardon. National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously characterized Hunter’s gun trial as a “distraction from the real crimes of the Biden Crime Family,” focusing instead on what she claimed were dubious foreign transactions, a claim that has been widely debunked.
In contrast, President Biden has taken a firm stance on his son’s legal matters, declaring in June that he would not grant a pardon should Hunter be convicted of federal gun-related charges. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed, “The president is not going to pardon his son.” The president issued a statement expressing pride in Hunter’s recovery journey, describing his son’s resilience as “inspiring” but avoiding any discussion of the legal case itself, as per CNN.
“As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength,” Biden wrote. According to The New York Times, Hunter Biden faces significant potential penalties. For the tax charges alone, he could face up to 17 years in federal prison and fines totaling $1.35 million.
Additionally, after being convicted in Delaware of falsifying a federal firearms application while grappling with addiction, he faces a possible 25-year sentence. While Hunter’s legal battles play out, Trump’s mixed message of public criticism and potential lenience for Hunter has added another dimension to the 2024 political landscape, with both parties navigating the complexities of family loyalty, legal accountability, and public perception amid an election season.
