In a move that surprised exactly no one paying attention, President Joe Biden issued a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday, abandoning his earlier assurances that he’d “abide by the jury’s decision.” The pardon, which swiftly swept Hunter’s felony firearm and tax offenses under the rug, drew sharp criticism—not least from President-elect Donald Trump, who wasted no time calling out the hypocrisy.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” The message cut straight to the heart of Republican grievances: while Hunter Biden gets a free pass after years of skirting the law, January 6 protesters remain locked up, some without trial, treated as political prisoners by a justice system that Republicans argue has been shamelessly weaponized.
🚨BOOM. Trump responds to Hunters pardon. pic.twitter.com/Hofj3DiyQz
— Sara Rose 🇺🇸🌹 (@saras76) December 2, 2024
The Trump transition team didn’t mince words either. Incoming White House communications chief Steven Cheung released a scathing statement, condemning what he described as a “corrupt and radical” DOJ: “The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proven that the Democrat-controlled DOJ and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system. That system of justice must be fixed and due process must be restored for all Americans.”
For his part, President Biden framed the pardon as a father’s compassionate act. In a lengthy statement, he described his son as a man who’s battled addiction and been unfairly targeted by Republican prosecutors. Biden claimed Hunter was “treated differently” because of who his father is, a laughable assertion considering most Americans without famous last names would be serving serious time for the same offenses.
Hunter is a serial criminal
The evidence is black & white, found on his own laptop
Which the FBI had for a year before the 2020 election, but they lied and said it was Russian disinfo
Then the Biden admin used serial lawfare against Trump
And now they gaslights us
Fitting pic.twitter.com/sNFhW9Wzl6
— Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) December 2, 2024
Let’s not forget Hunter’s rap sheet here: felony firearm offenses tied to lying on a gun form, multiple felony tax evasion charges, and a history of dodging responsibility. But instead of facing the consequences like any average citizen, he gets a presidential get-out-of-jail-free card—conveniently timed to shield him and, indirectly, his father from further scrutiny.
Community Notes slays pic.twitter.com/QNZfUIcNPl
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 2, 2024
Biden’s decision has predictably polarized the country. Republicans see it as yet another example of two-tiered justice, where the politically connected enjoy privileges that would never be extended to ordinary Americans. Meanwhile, Democrats are rallying behind the narrative of a father protecting his son—a sentiment that feels particularly hollow when contrasted with Biden’s continued silence on the plight of Americans still jailed for protesting on January 6.
JUST IN: Joe Walsh turns on Joe Biden after he pardoned Hunter, says he is “deflated” because he spent years saying Trump was the “threat.”
“This pardon is just deflating for those of us who’ve been out there for a few years yelling about what a threat Trump is.”
“Nobody’s… pic.twitter.com/4lHW6L6iIR
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 2, 2024
The pardon might bring legal closure for Hunter, but politically, it’s a bombshell that will fuel Republican fire heading into Trump’s return to the White House. If Biden hoped this move would put an end to the questions swirling around his family, he may have just ensured they’ll loom larger than ever.
