Trump Floats Death Sentence for Hunter
Hunter Biden at the Center for Strategic & International Studies. Photo courtesy of the Center for Strategic & International Studies under CC BY 3.0.
President Joe Biden's decision to grant his son, Hunter Biden, a full and unconditional pardon has drawn sharp rebukes across the political spectrum, with President-elect Donald Trump leading the charge. The pardon, which erases convictions for tax evasion and illegal gun possession, has become a lightning rod for criticism of the justice system, showcasing Trump's characteristic blend of hyperbole and outrage.
A Controversial Pardon
Hunter Biden, the president's son, faced mounting legal troubles including convictions for failing to pay federal income tax and illegally possessing a firearm. Biden's legal team reached a plea deal in 2023, which critics like Trump derided as inadequate punishment. Trump described the deal as "a traffic ticket instead of a death sentence," according to Newsweek, referencing his belief that Hunter had escaped harsher penalties due to his political connections. Trump further lambasted the deal accusing the justice system of harboring "collusion and corruption beyond description."
The pardon came as Hunter Biden faced potential sentencing for his crimes. According to CNN, Biden's attorneys had long believed clemency was a possibility, despite public denials from the White House. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated in November 2024 that "a pardon for Hunter Biden is not being considered," making Biden's reversal a source of frustration even among his allies.
Trump's Fiery Response
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the 58th Presidential Inaugural parade in Washington D.C., January 20, 2017. Photo by U.S. Army Pvt. Gabriel Silva. Public domain.
Trump wasted no time framing the pardon as evidence of systemic bias. "Weiss is a coward, a smaller version of Bill Barr, who never had the courage to do what everyone knows should have been done," Trump wrote on Truth Social in 2023, referring to Hunter's initial plea deal. According to Newsweek, he criticized the justice system as a "cesspool of crime," using the controversy to reinforce his longstanding claims of a two-tiered system where political elites avoid accountability.
Trump's Communications Director, Steven Cheung, echoed this sentiment, claiming that the Justice Department and radical prosecutors "are guilty of weaponizing the justice system," as reported by Newsweek.
Judicial Backlash
The pardon also drew pointed criticism from U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi, who presided over one of Hunter Biden's tax cases. Scarsi accused President Biden of mischaracterizing the charges against his son, describing the pardon statement as an attempt to "rewrite history."
As reported by NBC News, Scarsi wrote, "The Constitution provides the president with broad authority to grant reprieves and pardons, but nowhere does the Constitution give the president the authority to rewrite history." He added that Biden's claims about Hunter being "selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted" were undermined by federal judges who had reviewed and dismissed such allegations.
Scarsi detailed Hunter's financial misconduct, noting that he had "wrongfully deducted as business expenses items he knew were personal expenses," including luxury clothing, escort services, and his daughter's law school tuition. The judge emphasized that Hunter "had sufficient funds available to him to pay some or all of his outstanding taxes when they were due," but chose not to do so, even after "regaining sobriety."
The Fallout
Biden's pardon has elicited mixed reactions from lawmakers, including Democrats. According to CNN, Ohio Congressman Greg Landsman expressed understanding, stating, "As a father, I get it." However, he criticized the decision as a setback for public trust. Colorado Senator Michael Bennet took a harder line, saying the pardon "further erodes Americans' faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all."
For Trump, the controversy serves as a potent rallying cry. His claims of a "weaponized" justice system resonate with his base, even as critics argue his rhetoric often exaggerates reality. Nonetheless, Trump's fiery words and Biden's controversial pardon have set the stage for a contentious political chapter in the months ahead.
References: Fact Check: Did Donald Trump Say He Wanted Hunter Biden 'Executed'? | Democrats Left Fuming Over Biden's Decision to Pardon His Son | Judge in Hunter Biden Tax Case Calls President's Pardon Statement an Attempt to 'Rewrite History'
