Hunter Biden Admits Controversy Surrounding Joe Biden's Pardon

Hunter Biden, the son of former US President Joe Biden, has admitted that his father’s decision to use presidential authority to pardon him from federal criminal convictions was not a good choice for the United States or his father’s political legacy. Hunter acknowledged that the controversial pardon granted in 2024 could not escape public criticism. “It was something that was easy to criticise and there are reasons for that,” he said. He described himself as the most privileged person after receiving the pardon, which was the result of his father’s efforts. “It’s not fair… All I know is that I’m grateful he did it for me,” he stated. However, he suggested the situation would be different if his father had not helped him, asking, “What would you think about my father if he didn’t do that for me?” He assessed that his father’s actions had another reason: concern about being targeted by the incoming Donald Trump administration. Hunter Biden also confirmed that he and his father never discussed the possibility of a pardon before it was granted, saying, “There’s no way you could have that kind of conversation without it becoming public consumption.” The unconditional pardon, announced in December 2024, contradicted Biden’s repeated statements that he would not use his presidential powers to interfere in his son’s legal cases. When announcing the decision, the former president said his son had been selectively and unfairly prosecuted. The pardon covered a federal gun conviction, tax charges to which he had pleaded guilty, and any federal crimes committed between 2014 and 2024. Hunter also spoke about his father’s battle with cancer, describing it as “really tough” and expressing sadness that the disease had metastasised to his bones and other parts. Despite this, he emphasised that his father remains the centre of the family, calling him “the best father, best husband, and best grandfather.” Regarding his father’s health, he added, “The only thing I want to say about my father, regarding his health now, is I wish he complained more.” Reflecting on the June 2024 presidential debate that effectively ended his father’s re-election campaign, Hunter said he watched from his California home and immediately sensed something was wrong. “I was shocked. I knew something was off,” he said, questioning whether the cancer diagnosis had already begun to affect his father’s performance. Hunter also opened up about his own severe addiction to alcohol and crack cocaine, describing a period where he consumed nearly a gallon of vodka daily while smoking crack every 15 minutes. “It was a living hell,” he said, rejecting any notion that his status made him feel immune to consequences. “I wasn’t looking for anything but an escape.” He dismissed speculation about entering politics himself, stating he has no interest in electoral office and instead wants to dedicate his time to speaking about addiction and recovery, which he believes can bridge America’s political divides. When asked what makes him proudest of his father, Hunter did not cite his political career but his resilience, saying, “He has proven time and time again that when you fall, you can get back up. He is the strongest man I know.”