Mon Dec 02 01:02:33 UTC 2024: **Outgoing US President Biden Pardons Son Hunter, Sparking Controversy**

WASHINGTON D.C. – In a highly controversial move, outgoing President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, for tax and gun-related convictions. The pardon, announced Sunday, covers all offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024, despite Biden’s previous public statements denying he would use his presidential authority in this way.

President Biden defended his decision, claiming Hunter Biden was “selectively and unfairly” prosecuted due to his family name, and that the prosecution was politically motivated. He asserted that the process was a “miscarriage of justice” and that attempts to damage Hunter Biden were intended to harm him politically. The pardon preempts Hunter Biden’s upcoming sentencing for felony charges related to tax evasion and a false statement on a gun background check.

The decision immediately sparked outrage from Republicans, who accused the President of abusing his power. President-elect Donald Trump, himself facing numerous legal challenges, denounced the pardon as an “abuse and miscarriage of Justice.”

While Hunter Biden faced potential lengthy prison sentences, the President argued that the charges were unusually pursued, citing the infrequent prosecution of similar gun purchase form errors and late tax payments. He further stated that a previously agreed-upon plea deal, which he considered fair, was undermined by political pressure.

This action is likely to reignite debate about the independence of the US justice system, particularly given concerns about President-elect Trump’s potential use of law enforcement for political purposes. The pardon comes weeks before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced and follows multiple denials from the White House that a pardon would be granted. Hunter Biden has publicly acknowledged his past mistakes while emphasizing his commitment to recovery. The president’s use of executive clemency for a family member echoes similar actions taken by previous presidents.

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