First Lady Jill Biden played a key role in President Joe Biden’s complete and unequivocal pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, for federal offenses committed from January 2014 through December 2024. The pardon, which has sparked controversy, came despite Hunter’s previous derogatory remarks about Jill Biden. Nevertheless, the First Lady’s advocacy proved influential in the President’s decision.
Jeff Zeleny, CNN’s Chief National Affairs Correspondent, reported that President Biden initially had reservations about the pardon. “We were told really in recent weeks that Dr. Jill Biden—First Lady Jill Biden—was very supportive of the president doing something like this,” Zeleny said. This move is a significant departure from President Biden’s earlier public statements, in which he promised not to use his executive powers to favor his family.
Despite the controversy, Jill Biden has publicly defended the pardon. During the unveiling of the White House Christmas decorations, she told the press, “Of course I support the pardon of my son.” Her steadfast support underscores her commitment to family unity, undeterred by past conflicts. Previous investigations revealed text messages in which Hunter Biden referred to Jill Biden in derogatory terms. Nevertheless, these issues did not hinder her advocacy for her stepson’s pardon.
The pardon absolves Hunter Biden of several crimes, including three felonies related to firearms and a guilty plea for tax fraud on foreign income totaling $1.4 million. Hunter Biden attributed these charges to his “darkest days of addiction,” claiming they were used to publicly shame and embarrass him and his family for political gain.
President Biden justified the pardon by stating that Hunter was “treated differently and selectively prosecuted only because he is the President’s son.” He depicted the legal proceedings as politically motivated, asserting that opponents exploited Hunter’s personal issues to attack him and undermine his presidency. The pardon was issued after a plea agreement fell apart in court, with Hunter facing sentencing for his convictions.
Insiders close to the White House disclosed that Jill Biden’s influence played a significant role in the decision. Her consistent advocacy reportedly helped sway the President’s opinion. Earlier this year, Jill Biden attended Hunter’s trial for gun charges, a gesture perceived as a show of family unity. Her involvement highlights her crucial role in balancing family loyalty and political tactics.
The pardon has drawn widespread criticism. Many Democrats and advocates for clemency argue that the decision reflects a double standard, favoring the President’s family while undermining the ideal of unbiased justice.
The judge in Hunter’s tax case, Mark Scarsi, accused the president of “rewriting history” in a ruling written after the pardon. He said that Hunter Biden’s tax offenses had been committed after the period of his addictions. Despite Scarsi’s issues with Biden’s statement, the judge canceled the sentencing hearing and said he would officially terminate the case after he gets official confirmation of the pardon.
Republican adversaries also seized the opportunity to accuse the Biden administration of hypocrisy, drawing comparisons to previous criticisms of former President Donald Trump’s use of pardoning powers.
Even Democratic leader Senator Chuck Schumer, normally a loyal Biden ally, damned Biden by telling reporters “I’ve got nothing for you on that” when asked his view. Top Democrats are also reportedly weighing a decision to withhold contributions to President Joe Biden’s future presidential library, signaling growing frustration within the party over his blanket pardon of his son, Hunter Biden.
