Mixed reactions trail Joe Biden controversial presidential pardon for son

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a presidential pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who faced potential years in prison for charges related to gun possession and tax fraud.

The decision marks a reversal of Biden’s earlier stance against pardoning his son, with the president citing “unfair persecution” as a key factor.

Hunter Biden, in a statement, expressed gratitude for the clemency and reflected on his struggles with addiction, pledging to move forward responsibly.

The pardon has ignited a political firestorm, drawing criticism and support from across the political spectrum.

President-elect Donald Trump called it “an abuse and miscarriage of justice.” Former Attorney General Eric Holder supported the move as “warranted,” while Colorado Governor Jared Polis warned it could establish a “bad precedent.”

Democratic Representative Greg Stanton publicly disagreed with Biden, stating Hunter’s crimes were adjudicated fairly. Republican figures, including Senator Chuck Grassley and Marjorie Taylor Greene, slammed the pardon as emblematic of a “two-tier system of justice.”

As Biden prepares to leave office, the pardon remains a divisive final act of his presidency, reflecting ongoing polarization in U.S. politics.