President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter may have elicited bipartisan criticism, but it does not appear to be causing nearly as much debate at home. Jill Biden, the first lady, told reporters on Monday that she fully supports her husband’s actions.
When reporters yelled questions at a White House holiday party, Dr. Biden said, “Of course I support the pardon of my son.”
Hunter was found guilty earlier this year of lying on a federal form when he bought a gun in 2018 and said he did not use drugs. He also admitted that he did not pay his federal income taxes.
On Sunday, President Biden said that Hunter had been unfairly attacked by people who do not support him.
“Almost never are people charged with a felony just because of how they filled out a gun form,” he said. “People who were severely addicted and were late paying their taxes but later paid them back with interest and penalties are usually not charged with a crime.”
Trump said, “It is clear that Hunter was treated differently.”
Donald Trump, who took over for Biden, pardoned war criminals, people who obstructed justice, police officers accused of violence against people of colour, and Charles Kushner, who pleaded guilty years ago to tax evasion and witness tampering charges and is the father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared.
Since then, the next president has chosen the older Kushner to be his ambassador to France.
