Friday, June 7, 2024 -US President Joe Biden said in an interview Thursday he would not pardon his son, Hunter Biden, if he’s found guilty of criminal federal gun charges.
When asked by interviewer David Muir of ABC
if he would rule out pardoning Hunter Biden, the president said, “Yes.”
Biden also affirmed he would accept the
outcome of the trial, currently taking place in his home state of Delaware.
Hunter is accused of illegally
purchasing and possessing a gun while abusing or being addicted to drugs, a
violation of federal law.
He pleaded not guilty to the three
charges, though he’s been open about his struggles with alcohol and crack
cocaine addiction. The charges were brought by special counsel David Weiss.
The trial is a painful one for the Biden
family, as Hunter Biden was struggling with drug addiction in the aftermath of
his brother Beau’s death and even First lady Dr. Jill Biden, Hunter's stepmom
attended the trial before traveling to France to join her husband for D-Day
commemoration activities.
The White House had said previously that
Biden would not pardon his son.
“I’ve been very clear; the president is not going to pardon his son,” press
secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in December.
It’s the first time in US history
that the child of a sitting president has been on trial.
Biden has previously voiced support for his
son and said he was proud of his recovery from addiction.
“I am the
President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of
the man he is today,” the president said in a statement Monday as the trial was
getting underway.
“Hunter’s
resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his
recovery are inspiring to us. A lot of families have loved ones who have
overcome addiction and know what we mean,” he went on.
“As the
President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I
have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his
strength. Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going
to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support.”
The trial comes after a New York jury
returned 34 guilty counts against former President Donald Trump for falsifying
business records in an attempt to cover up hush money payments to a porn
actress.
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