President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, for federal gun and tax evasion charges has ignited a firestorm of controversy. While the President framed the pardon as a response to perceived political attacks and a failed plea deal, reports suggest a more nuanced, and potentially family-influenced, narrative. The key figure in this emerging story? First Lady Jill Biden.
CNN’s chief national affairs correspondent, Jeff Zeleny, reported that significant pressure existed within the Biden family regarding the pardon. Zeleny stated, “Clearly there was pressure inside the family. We were told really in recent weeks that Dr. Jill Biden – first lady Jill Biden – was very supportive of the president doing something like this.” This revelation directly contradicts President Biden’s previous, firm stance against pardoning his son.
In June 2024, as Hunter Biden faced trial in Delaware on gun charges, President Biden declared, “I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.” This stark contrast between his earlier statement and his ultimate action fuels speculation about the shifting dynamics within the family and the potential influence of the First Lady.
Adding fuel to the fire, First Lady Jill Biden herself publicly voiced her support for the pardon. Speaking from the White House, she declared, “Of course I support the pardon of my son.” Zeleny further emphasized the President’s initial hesitation, suggesting the First Lady’s support may have been the pivotal factor in his final decision.
President Biden’s official statement accompanying the pardon attempted to justify his actions. He stated, “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. Then, a carefully negotiated plea deal, agreed to by the Department of Justice, unravelled in the courtroom—with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process. Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair, reasonable resolution of Hunter’s cases.” This statement portrays the charges as politically motivated, and the pardon as a response to perceived injustice.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles stem from two separate cases. In June, he was convicted of lying on a federal form when purchasing a firearm in 2018, falsely claiming he was not a drug user. Months later, he pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges, accused of avoiding at least $1.4 million in taxes. Prosecutors alleged a pattern of lavish spending on items such as strippers and luxury hotels while failing to meet his tax obligations. These legal issues are directly linked to a period of his life marked by struggles with drug and alcohol abuse, a period he overcame and achieved sobriety in 2019.
The President’s pardon, coupled with the reported influence of the First Lady, has sparked intense debate and questions surrounding the use of presidential power, family influence in political decisions, and the very nature of justice itself. The ongoing discussion promises to be a defining moment in the Biden presidency.
