White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, for tax and gun crimes on Monday. She attributed the prosecution of Hunter Biden to “war politics,” while maintaining that the Justice Department is not generally influenced by political bias, contrary to claims made by President-elect Donald Trump.
Jean-Pierre used the phrase “war politics” multiple times while responding to journalists’ questions on Air Force One. The press secretary was accompanying President Biden, 82, on his official visit to Angola, which took place shortly after the pardon. The president justified the pardon by stating that his son was being “selectively and unfairly prosecuted.”
When asked about the president’s comments on the politicization of the justice system, Jean-Pierre asserted that Biden has faith in the Justice Department. She was then questioned about the extent of the alleged political bias within the Department of Justice (DOJ). In response, Jean-Pierre focused on the case of Hunter Biden, arguing that political opponents had targeted him due to his familial ties to the president.
First Lady Jill Biden also expressed her support for the pardon during a White House Christmas party. Meanwhile, US District Judge Maryellen Noreika indicated her intention to accept the president’s pardon related to the firearm charges that were adjudicated in Delaware.
Special counsel David Weiss and his team refuted suggestions that Hunter Biden had been treated differently or that the verdict against him was unjust. They pointed out that the president’s own appointees run the Justice Department and disputed the defense team’s failure to post a copy of the president’s pardon.
Hunter Biden initially agreed to a probation-only plea deal last June. However, he later withdrew from the deal when prosecutors rejected his demand for broad immunity for past conduct. After charges were refiled, a Delaware jury convicted Hunter Biden of three gun felonies, and he pleaded guilty to defrauding the government of $1.4 million in taxes from foreign relationships involving Joe Biden. He was awaiting sentencing in both cases.
Jean-Pierre emphasized that the president intervened due to the political nature of these cases. She argued that Hunter Biden was singled out because of his relationship to the president. However, she did not acknowledge that the charges were brought by a Justice Department controlled by the president’s own appointees, including Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Despite the controversy surrounding the pardon, Jean-Pierre stated that Biden is not seeking Garland’s resignation. She also noted that the president had changed his mind about granting clemency to his son over Thanksgiving.
The pardon has sparked outrage among clemency advocates and even some leading Democrats. Critics argue that the pardon sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the president’s promise to uphold the rule of law.