The president of the United States, Joe Biden announced Sunday that he had signed a pardon for his son Hunter Biden, who in June was found guilty of three crimes related to the possession of firearms and who was also tried for tax evasion.
The outgoing president granted the pardon,despite having declared in the past that he would not grant it,whereas Hunter Biden’s legal troubles were instigated by his political rivals.
“They tried to break Hunter, who has remained sober for five and a half years, even in the face of relentless attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they tried to break me, and there’s no reason to believe they will stop hear, enough is enough,” the president said.
Hunter Biden, son of American President Joe Biden.
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“No reasonable person examining the facts of the Hunter case can come to any conclusion other than that Hunter was targeted only because he is my son,” Biden said in a statement, in which he assured that his the son was “selectively and unfairly prosecuted”.
Before leaving the White House in the hands of his successor Donald Trump in January, Biden has the opportunity to grant pardons, which has become a tradition for American presidents.
The pardon comes at a time with no political risks for the president, who, after having given up on re-election this summer and at the age of 82, will abandon political life on January 20, when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Joe Biden, president of the United States
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The legal proceedings faced by Hunter Biden
Hunter Biden was found guilty this year in a Delaware trial of lying about his drug use to purchase a firearm.which is considered a serious crime.
In addition to the case of illegal possession of firearms, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty in September to tax evasion in a Los Angeles court.
The son of the outgoing president has stopped paying $1.4 million in taxes over the past decade. His defense argued that the tax evasion was an oversight in the midst of a chaotic life due to drug addiction and the trauma of losing his brother Beau, who died of a brain tumor in 2015. Hunter Biden, though, paid the his debts the treasury, as well as fines.
The revelation of the two sentences was expected in mid-December.
US President Joe Biden hugs his son Hunter Biden.
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In the statement released last Sunday, the Democratic president said that, without aggravating circumstances, in the United States people are not prosecuted for the way they fill out a form to purchase a gun.He also assured that those who delay in paying taxes but repay interest and pay fines will not be sentenced to prison. “It is clear that Hunter was treated differently,” he said.
“the charges in their cases arose only after many of my political opponents in Congress incited them to attack me and oppose my election,” Biden said.
The president said he believes in the justice system but also believes politics influenced the trial of his son. and led to a “miscarriage of justice”. “I hope Americans understand why a father and a president came to this decision,” the text concludes.
Hunter Biden, son of the President of the United States, Joe Biden.
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US presidents have made it a tradition to use pardons to help family members and other political allies. Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother for old cocaine possession charges, and during his first term, Trump pardoned his son-in-law’s father for tax evasion, although in both cases both had already served prison sentences.
The measure announced on Sunday by Biden will certainly raise new questions about the independence of the American judicial system, especially at a time when President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on January 20, has appointed collaborators loyal to the head of the FBI and himself Department of Justice.
*With AFP and Efe
How might President Biden’s pardon impact public perceptions of political accountability?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Legal Expert on President biden’s Pardon of Hunter Biden
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today. We have a particularly significant topic to discuss following President Joe Biden’s recent decision to pardon his son,Hunter biden. With this controversial move, we see a myriad of legal and political implications unfolding. To help us unpack this, we have with us Dr. Emily Carter, a legal expert specializing in constitutional law. Emily, thank you for being here.
Dr.Emily Carter: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss this crucial issue.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive right in.President Biden cited a relentless attack on Hunter by political rivals as motivation for this pardon. How does the concept of selective prosecution play into this situation?
Dr. Emily Carter: Selective prosecution refers to the idea that law enforcement is unfairly targeting an individual based on personal characteristics or political connections rather than the merits of the case. In Hunter Biden’s situation, his father argues that he has been targeted due to his position as the president’s son. this raises engaging questions about the fairness of legal processes and whether personal biases play a role in who gets prosecuted and how.
Time.news Editor: Indeed. It’s engaging that the president had previously stated he wouldn’t grant a pardon. What might have prompted this change of heart?
Dr.Emily Carter: That’s a crucial aspect of the story. In politics, public sentiment is fluid, and decisions are often influenced by evolving circumstances. The Biden management might feel that granting the pardon now serves multiple purposes: it ends a contentious chapter in their family’s saga,possibly unifies the Democratic base around the idea of protecting family,and pushes back against narratives of political retribution against his son.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of narratives, President Biden claimed that efforts to “break” Hunter were also aimed at breaking him. How does this personal defence frame the larger political discourse?
Dr. Emily Carter: It frames the situation within the context of familial loyalty and political cleansing.By emphasizing the personal attacks on his son and suggesting they are an extension of broader political warfare, President biden shifts the narrative from a legal discussion to one of empathy and moral support for families facing unprecedented scrutiny. This could resonate with voters and humanizes the story, making it more relatable at a personal level.
Time.news Editor: from a legal perspective,does this pardon set a precedent for future cases,especially concerning the children of public officials?
Dr.Emily Carter: Yes, it certainly could.This is an unprecedented situation in many ways. If the public perceives that pardons can be used as tools to shield family members of political figures from legal repercussions,it could create a slippery slope.It’s vital that future administrations are careful about how pardons are exercised to maintain public trust in the justice system.
Time.news Editor: That’s an importent point. Can you speak to the legal ramifications Hunter Biden may still face despite the pardon?
Dr. Emily Carter: While the pardon addresses the firearm-related charges, it does not erase the public scrutiny Hunter biden will continue to face. Additionally, the pardon doesn’t cover any potential future legal challenges, especially concerning the tax evasion allegations, depending on the outcome of any further investigations. So while he may have this reprieve now, the legal battles may not be entirely over.
Time.news Editor: All fascinating insights, Emily. As we consider the intersection of law and politics in this case, what should we be aware of moving forward?
dr. Emily Carter: I think it’s essential for citizens to stay informed about the implications of political pardons, the integrity of the justice system, and how these decisions affect broader societal norms about accountability. As you noted earlier, the consequences of this pardon could resonate beyond the Biden family and redefine how we view the relationship between power and justice in the United States.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your analytical perspective on this complex situation. It’s undoubtedly a developing story, and we appreciate your insights.
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how this develops.
Time.news Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. We’ll continue to cover the developments around this story as they unfold.