In a surprising turn of events, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed tough questions from reporters Monday after President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, for tax and gun charges. Speaking aboard Air Force One as the president headed to Angola for an official visit, Jean-Pierre repeatedly described the legal case against Hunter as being driven by “war politics,” a term she used three times during the exchange.
The pardon sparked a heated discussion about justice, fairness, and politics. When asked why the president described the justice system as “infected with politics,” Jean-Pierre defended Biden’s actions. “The president believes in the Department of Justice,” she said, while also stating that Hunter was unfairly targeted because he’s the president’s son. Reporters pushed back, questioning how deeply the justice system is affected and whether this pardon sets a troubling precedent.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles have been making headlines for months. Earlier this year, he was convicted of three gun-related felonies by a Delaware jury and admitted to dodging $1.4 million in taxes from foreign business dealings that also reportedly involved Joe Biden. Despite an initial plea deal that would have kept him out of prison, Hunter walked away when prosecutors refused to grant him broad immunity for his past actions. After charges were refiled, Hunter’s legal team argued the case was politically motivated—a claim rejected by the court.
Now, with his father stepping in, the pardon is raising eyebrows on both sides of the political aisle. First Lady Jill Biden weighed in briefly during a White House Christmas party, saying, “Of course, I support the pardon of my son.” Meanwhile, US District Judge Maryellen Noreika has indicated she will close the gun-related case following the president’s pardon.
Critics, however, aren’t buying the “politics” argument. Special Counsel David Weiss, who led the prosecution, dismissed claims that Hunter was treated unfairly. “There’s no evidence of vindictive or selective prosecution in this case,” Weiss’s team said in a statement.
For many, the timing of the pardon feels problematic. In the past, Biden repeatedly promised not to interfere with the justice system and even criticized former President Donald Trump for alleging political bias in his own legal battles. Yet now, the president’s actions appear to contradict those earlier claims. Jean-Pierre defended the move by saying, “Hunter was singled out because his last name is Biden. That’s what we’ve been seeing for years.”
This isn’t sitting well with everyone, including some prominent Democrats. Colorado Governor Jared Polis criticized the pardon, calling it a mistake that could set a dangerous precedent. “As a father, I understand President Biden’s desire to help his son,” Polis wrote on social media. “But when you’re president, your duty is to the nation. This will tarnish his reputation.”
Others echoed this sentiment. Congressman Greg Stanton of Arizona bluntly stated, “This wasn’t a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers.” Even political science professor Daniel Schlozman from Johns Hopkins University weighed in, calling the pardon “rank hypocrisy” and a bad move for Democrats who have long opposed favoritism for political families.
Meanwhile, clemency advocates are frustrated that the president prioritized his son over thousands of others awaiting pardons or sentence reductions. Weldon Angelos, founder of Mission Green, noted Biden has done little to help people in prison for marijuana-related offenses despite campaign promises. “The president has now pardoned more turkeys than people locked up for marijuana,” Angelos quipped.
As the debate continues, Jean-Pierre hinted that more clemency announcements could be on the way, but specifics were left unclear. For now, the move has reignited questions about fairness, justice, and whether family ties can bend the rules.
