White House says Biden won’t pardon Hunter Biden if convicted on gun charges
The White House reiterated on Friday that President Biden would not pardon his son Hunter Biden if he is convicted of a crime.
When asked if Biden would commute his son’s sentence if convicted on gun charges, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said no. This marks the first definitive answer the administration has given since Hunter Biden was formally charged on Thursday, though a similar message was first floated in July.
“I’ve answered this question before,” Jean-Pierre said, referencing the July briefing. “It was asked of me not too long ago, a couple of weeks ago, and I was very clear, and I said no.”
Hunter Biden was indicted on three felony gun charges, alleging that the younger Biden illegally purchased a gun while on drugs. The charges could carry a 10 year sentence if convicted.
His attorney has denied the charges, and said their constitutionality is “very much in doubt”
“It is a unique and unjustified charge. Hunter owned an unloaded gun for 11 days,” attorney Abbe Lowell said Thursday. “There has never been a charge like this that has been brought in the United States.”
The president’s son is also under investigation by a federal special counsel for alleged tax misconduct and by a Republican House investigation into prior business deals.
Special Counsel David Weiss stated in court filings that he intends to finalize charges related to the tax misconduct by the end of the month.
Republicans allege that Biden used his position to garner lucrative deals for his son. Members of the House GOP have used the claims to push for an impeachment inquiry against the president.
Meanwhile Trump sold people like Lil Wayne pardons for 2 million quid a pop and sprung Roger Stone and Paul Manafort.
Doesn’t matter because they’re not playing by the same rules. Things like ethics are NOT relevant to the right. They only care about perceived wins. We are quickly approaching the point where ALL things will be on the table.
Just curious because my imagination can't reach that far - but aside from outright civil war (because they've explicitly voiced support for it), what other things can happen that are "unprecedented" when we've already had plenty of instances of domestic terrorism and a literal coup attemp where the mob wanted to lynch the sitting VP
There is very much a precedent for civil war
Right? The precedent has been set, the president can use the pardon power for favors or profit or whatever. Biden should just call it a witch hunt, pardon Hunter, and everyone will forget in 2 weeks.
That's the kind of thing you only get to do when you sell your soul to the devil.
If you're the soul having variety of politician then that option simply isn't available to you.
Problem is that it still damages the institutions and weakens the rule of law and democracy. The right always has an advantage because they want to destroy democracy while playing politics, whereas the center and left need to also protect democracy on top of playing politics.
Too many people, even on the left, don't understand this point. The Democrats have to fight bad faith actors while not stooping the their shitty level.
So every time I hear lefties screaming why isn't Joe doing more, it's because he has to play by the rules and not act like lunatic Trump.
And Rod Blagojevich who tried to use his power as Governor of the state of Illinois to literally sell a senate seat to the highest bidder. He was convicted and sent to prison....and Trump pardoned him.
Thanks for the mental image of Trump forcing Lil Wayne to pay in British Pounds rather than USD in some sort of sadistic mind-game.
i believe the current policy is to force people to pay in rubles
Two million rubles? Let me check down the back of the sofa
And Flynn, who is an unindicted co-conspirator I’m Georgia now, for things he did since he was pardoned.
Revoke their pardons then. It's only fair.
Yeah, honestly he should just wait until the 11th hour of his presidency in part in them it's not It doesn't happen for practically every president since the beginning