US President-elect Donald Trump has reacted sharply to outgoing President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted on charges related to gun crimes and tax violations. Trump described the move as a “miscarriage of justice.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump remarked:
“Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!”
Trump’s reference to “J6 hostages” pertains to individuals imprisoned for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riots. Trump and his supporters often argue that these individuals acted “peacefully and patriotically,” labeling their imprisonment as unjust.
There is speculation that Trump, upon assuming office, would pardon those imprisoned for their actions during the Capitol siege.
Earlier, President Joe Biden signed a pardon for Hunter Biden, shielding him from sentencing for his offenses and removing the possibility of prison time.
In a statement, Biden explained the reasoning behind his decision, emphasizing that similar cases involving issues like tax payment problems due to addiction often result in non-criminal resolutions. He argued that his son was treated differently and unfairly prosecuted:
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively and unfairly prosecuted. Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form. Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently,” Biden stated.
He further noted that the charges were politically motivated and arose after political opponents in Congress pushed for the case to be pursued:
“The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election. Then, a carefully negotiated plea deal, agreed to by the Department of Justice, unravelled in the courtroom–with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process. Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair, reasonable resolution of Hunter’s cases.”
Biden concluded by expressing his belief in the justice system while criticizing the politicization of the legal process, which he described as a “miscarriage of justice.”