U.S. President Joe Biden has reiterated his decision not to pardon his son Hunter after he was convicted of three felony gun charges earlier this week.
At the summit in Italy, Biden said he was “extremely proud” of his son, whom he said has “overcome an addiction”.
“I’m extremely proud of my son Hunter. He has overcome an addiction. He is one of the brightest, most decent men I know. I said I’d abide by the jury decision, and I will do that. And I will not pardon him,” Biden said at the G7 summit on Thursday.
What happened?
The younger Biden, 54, could face up to 25 years in prison for his conviction on three counts of illegally purchasing and possessing a gun while abusing or being addicted to drugs, a violation of federal law. Biden is a first-time offender and it’s unlikely that he will be given the maximum sentence.
A pardon, which a president can grant in federal cases, relieves an individual of all guilt for the crime they committed. A commutation reduces the sentence without acquitting the person.
The prosecution’s argument primarily rested on the fact that Biden lied on a federal form that asked whether he was legally allowed to buy the gun when buying a firearm. One of the questions on the form asked if he was “unlawful user of, or addicted to” illegal drugs.
Prosecutors said Biden checked the box that said no. Two of the charges were tied to the purchase. Biden was convicted on all three counts, becoming the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a crime.
Prosecutors had offered the younger Biden a plea deal but it broke down in July as it was about to be set in stone. A judge has not set his sentencing date yet but it’s likely to come in the autumn.
