Biden has pardoned his son Hunter. What does that mean?
President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter, though he had previously said he would not do so
By COLLEEN LONG and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER
Published - Dec 02, 2024, 04:12 PM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 05:09 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden had long pledged that he would not pardon his son, Hunter, who was set to be sentenced this month for gun and tax convictions. But on Sunday, the president did it anyway.
The sweeping pardon covers not only Hunter Biden's convictions in two cases in Delaware and California, but also any other “offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024.”
Biden is hardly the first president to deploy his pardon powers to benefit those close to him. But it was still a surprising reversal for a man who pledged to restore norms and respect for the rule of law.
