First Lady Jill Biden voiced support for President Joe Biden’s controversial decision to pardon Hunter Biden during a press conference at the White House on Monday. The announcement came as the Bidens unveiled this year’s holiday theme, “A Season of Peace and Light,” during a gathering with National Guard families.
“Of course I support the pardon of my son,” Jill Biden stated when questioned by a reporter. Hunter Biden, the president’s son and Jill Biden’s stepson, faced two felony charges stemming from firearm and tax-related offenses.
President Biden issued the pardon Sunday night, covering potential offenses Hunter may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. “Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” the president said in a statement, claiming the charges against Hunter were the result of selective prosecution. Biden added, “From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word.”
The decision represents a reversal for Biden, who previously ruled out pardoning his son. In interviews earlier this year, the president had firmly stated he would not intervene ahead of Hunter’s guilty verdict in the federal gun case.
Critics argue the pardon sets a troubling precedent, with some questioning its alignment with the president’s earlier stance on judicial independence. The White House has not yet issued further clarification.
As the holiday season unfolds, the pardon adds another layer of scrutiny to the Biden administration, overshadowing what was intended to be a season celebrating unity and family.