White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre went home with egg on her face after repeatedly insisting that President Biden had no plans to pardon her son while in office.
On Sunday night, Biden formally pardoned his son Hunter, who was recently convicted on tax and firearms charges.
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” Biden said in a statement. “From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere in the decision-making of the Department of Justice, and I kept that promise even as I watched my son be selectively and unfairly prosecuted.”
President Biden has previously insisted he would respect the outcome of his son's trial. (Getty Images)
“Absent aggravating factors such as use in a crime, multiple purchases, or purchasing a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are rarely tried for felonies solely because of how they fill out gun forms. ” continued the President's statement. “Non-criminal resolutions are typically available for people who missed paying their taxes due to severe addiction, but then repaid them with interest and penalties. It's clear Hunter was treated differently. ”
KJP says President Biden has no plans yet to pardon Hunter Biden on tax fraud and firearms charges
The statement came after Jean-Pierre repeatedly denied that Biden was considering pardoning Hunter, even though he had been charged.
July 2023
In July, Fox News' Mark Meredith asked Jean-Pierre if it was possible that Biden would pardon his son since Hunter was facing two charges of willful failure to pay federal income taxes. .
“No,” Jean-Pierre simply said.
She also interrupted follow-up questions by saying, “I just said no,” before moving on to another reporter.
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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has maintained that Hunter Biden will not be pardoned as far back as July 2023. (Getty Images)
September 2023
After Hunter was indicted on federal charges of making false statements and illegal possession of a firearm, Jean-Pierre reiterated the possibility that Biden would pardon his son.
“So, I've answered this question before. I was asked it just recently, a few weeks ago, and I answered emphatically no,” Jean-Pierre replied.
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December 2023
Jean-Pierre gave a more detailed response to reporters after Hunter faced nine criminal charges in the federal tax evasion case.
Asked if Biden would pardon Hunter, Jean-Pierre said, “Nothing has changed. That remains the same.”
“So what the president has said and will continue to say is that he loves his son and supports him as he continues to rebuild his life. And I will not comment on this. And I mention to my colleagues at the Department of Justice and the White House lawyers, that's what I'm going to do — all the things that the president has said over and over again. I'm not going to talk. And he's rebuilding his life,” Jean-Pierre said.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre maintained that she had not discussed the issue with Biden, insisting that he would not forgive his son. (Getty Images)
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June 2024
Months later, Biden himself said in an interview with ABC News' David Muir in Normandy, France, that he had no intention of pardoning his son and would accept the outcome of his federal trial.
After the interview, Jean-Pierre reiterated that Biden He had no intention of pardoning his son and had not spoken to the president about the matter.
“Yeah, so, look, as I said at the beginning, in response to your first question, I don't have anything more to say than the president's statement yesterday. He was very clear. We also It was very clear: “You know, he loves his son, he loves his son, the first lady loves him, but I have nothing.'' Certainly nothing more. '' said Jean-Pierre.
When pressed, she added, “Look, what I'm saying is, the President, Pre-President, I haven't talked to the President about this. And what I'm saying is, he's… I mean, he was asked about the pardon.'' He was asked specifically about the trial, and he answered very clearly and frankly. About this. ”
August 2024
After Biden withdrew from the presidential race, a reporter asked Jean-Pierre. If Vice President Kamala Harris is elected, will she tell her son not to pardon her?
“I mean, it's a hypothesis, I can speak for the president, but the president said he won't pardon his son, so I'm going to leave it at that,” Jean-Pierre said. .
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in November that there were no plans to pardon Hunter Biden. (Getty Images)
November 2024
Shortly after President-elect Donald Trump won the 2024 election, Jean-Pierre reiterated that his answer had not changed.
“We've been asked that question many times. Our answer is no,” the spokesperson said.
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FOX News' Brandon Gillespie contributed to this report.
