President-elect Donald Trump reacted on Sunday to the surprising decision by President Joe Biden to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, as an “abuse and miscarriage of justice.” Trump wondered in a post on Truth Social if the pardon would reach out to the January 6th protesters, who have been in prison for years, and if the same leniency would be shown to them.
Hunter Biden has had to fight serious legal battles, convicted of felony firearm offenses earlier this year and pleading guilty to several felony tax offenses in September. Biden’s decision to pardon his son is certain to draw widespread attention, particularly as he had said earlier he would not interfere in the case.
In a statement, Biden said he felt his son had been treated unfairly and that Republicans were picking on him. The president also spoke to Hunter’s struggle with substance abuse, saying his son has been sober for five and a half years. Biden defended his decision to say that his actions were compelled by the need to protect his family and to show compassion to a son struggling with addiction.
“From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the decision-making of the Justice Department,” Biden underscored in remarks that highlighted the justice given to Hunter’s challenges. He acknowledged that his son may have overcome some addiction issues but still faces constant smears and attacks on him and, by extension, the president himself.
Trump, however, used the moment to lambaste what he has described as an instance of politicized justice under the Biden administration. Indeed, he has long said the Justice Department and other federal agencies are weaponized against political adversaries.
As the fallout surrounding the pardon continues to swirl, both Trump and Biden could face additional scrutiny from the president’s supporters and opponents, respectively.
