Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has publicly addressed for the first time the presidential pardon he received from his father in December 2024. In a candid discussion with journalist Tommy Christopher on Christopher’s Substack platform, Hunter Biden acknowledged the special treatment involved in his pardon, while also directing criticism toward President Donald Trump.
"I realize how privileged I am," said Hunter Biden, acknowledging the special circumstances of his presidential pardon.
The interview, which took place on Monday, revealed Hunter Biden's perspective on the events that unfolded during the last presidential election. He suggested that Trump’s 2024 victory altered the dynamics of his legal situation, implying that it had a bearing on the decision to grant him clemency. Despite facing convictions on tax and federal gun charges, Hunter Biden expressed his belief that he would have been successful on appeal under "normal circumstances."
However, he conveyed deep gratitude for the pardon, "I realize how privileged I am," he stated, recognizing the unique advantage he had being the son of the President. The clemency, as detailed by The Daily Caller and based on the Justice Department’s warrant, not only cleared Hunter Biden of his tax and gun convictions but also extended to any potential offenses that might have occurred between January 1, 2014, and the date of clemency.
During the interview, Hunter Biden reflected on the nature of his father's action, saying that it was unlikely he would have received the pardon had President Trump not secured the presidency. He accused President Trump of engaging in a "revenge tour" with an "absolute obsession" with his father, a sentiment he argued made the pardon necessary for his protection. Hunter Biden portrayed himself as a potential political target, suggesting that without the pardon, he would have been susceptible to tactics of intimidation that could have affected his entire family.
The subject of recent clemency decisions by President Trump also surfaced, with Hunter Biden taking issue with the commutation of former New York congressman George Santos's federal sentence. This act by President Trump has been met with criticism, especially from those in New York. Hunter Biden used this as a backdrop to defend his own pardon, maintaining that, from his father’s perspective, it was the right thing to do.
Despite defending the pardon, Hunter Biden continued to spotlight President Trump's clemency actions, predicting they were part of a broader agenda. "He’s not finished with his revenge tour," Biden warned, foreshadowing possible future actions from the Trump administration.
This interview comes amid ongoing debates about the nature of presidential pardons and their implications for justice and fairness. As Hunter Biden acknowledges the privilege inherent in his pardon, questions about the ethical and legal frameworks of such executive decisions remain salient in the public discourse.
