First Lady Jill Biden played a critical role in the full and unconditional presidential pardon of her stepson, Hunter Biden. The pardon covers federal crimes committed between January 2014 and December 2024. The decision to pardon, which has sparked controversy, was influenced significantly by Jill Biden, despite a previously strained relationship marked by Hunter Biden’s derogatory remarks about her.
President Joe Biden initially expressed hesitation about the pardon, according to CNN’s Chief National Affairs Correspondent, Jeff Zeleny. “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 reported. This decision stands in contrast to the President’s earlier statements, in which he vowed not to use his executive powers to favor his family.
Publicly, the First Lady has staunchly defended the pardon. She told reporters, “Of course I support the pardon of my son,” while presenting the White House Christmas decorations. Her steadfast support underscores her dedication to family unity, despite earlier tensions revealed in text messages where Hunter Biden referred to her using derogatory terms. These personal disputes did not dissuade her from championing her stepson’s pardon.
The pardon encompasses several offenses, including three firearm-related felonies and a guilty plea from Hunter Biden for tax fraud amounting to $1.4 million on foreign income. Hunter Biden attributed these charges to his “darkest days of addiction,” a period he believes was exploited to shame and publicly humiliate him and his family for political gain.
Defending his decision, President Biden stated that his son had been “treated differently and selectively prosecuted only because he is the President’s son.” He portrayed the legal proceedings as politically motivated, asserting that his adversaries utilized Hunter’s personal issues to undermine his presidency. The pardon was issued after a plea deal fell apart in court, and as Hunter Biden faced sentencing hearings for his convictions.
According to sources close to the White House, the First Lady’s influence on the decision was significant. Her consistent advocacy reportedly shifted the President’s stance. Earlier in the year, Jill Biden attended Hunter’s trial on gun charges, interpreted as a sign of solidarity. This involvement underscores her crucial role in balancing family loyalty and political strategy.
The pardon has been met with widespread disapproval. Democrats and clemency advocates have expressed concerns that the decision reflects a double standard, favoring the President’s family while compromising the principle of impartial justice.
Republican critics have also capitalized on this opportunity to accuse the Biden administration of hypocrisy, drawing comparisons to previous criticisms aimed at former President Donald Trump’s use of pardon powers.
