President Joe Biden has declared that he will respect the outcome of his son Hunter Biden’s criminal trial and will not grant him a pardon if convicted.
In an interview with ABC News David Muir during the president’s visit to Normandy, France, Biden replied “Yes” when asked if he would accept the trial’s result and not grant a pardon if his son is found guilty.
SURE THING, BIG GUY: Crooked Joe Biden insists he wouldn't pardon his son, Hunter, if he is found guilty in his criminal trial pic.twitter.com/IE5xLwexnV
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 6, 2024
Hunter faces three felony charges for allegedly lying on a government form to obtain a weapon and illegally possessing it. The trial officially began on June 3 in Wilmington, Delaware. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison and pay a fine of $750,000.
Special Counsel David Weiss brought the charges in 2023. Weiss highlighted Hunter’s incriminating statements in his 2021 memoir and noted that investigators found drugs in the pouch where he stored his gun. The evidence includes a white powdery substance, which was later confirmed to be cocaine by an FBI chemist.
According to the New York Post, Biden’s spokesperson has previously said the president would rule out pardoning his son, but Thursday marked the first time Biden himself made it clear he would rule out pardoning Hunter.
The outlet reports that in addition to the gun case, Hunter is scheduled to stand trial in Los Angeles beginning Sept. 5 for his tax evasion case. The case stems from allegedly failing to pay more than $1.4 million in federal taxes between 2016 and 2019 on income received from foreign relationships involving his dad.
CNN reports that regardless of the charges, Biden issued a statement on Monday at the start of Hunter’s trial, voicing support for his son.
“I am the president, but I am also a dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us,” Biden said in the statement. “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.”
President Biden said in an interview that he would not pardon his son Hunter if he is convicted on federal gun charges https://t.co/4CYbfkf9sK
— CNN (@CNN) June 6, 2024