President Joe Biden's sweeping pardon for his son Hunter Biden was announced Tuesday as a way for the younger Biden to claim Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, or how he could claim broad immunity. This has sparked new legal speculation as to whether What Hunter admits could be swayed against him.
While Hunter Biden is there. Certainly protected from prosecution Those around him are not as concerned about the federal crimes he “committed or may have committed” between January 1, 2014 and December 1, 2024. That means, in theory, he could be called to testify in a potential lawsuit against Hunter Biden. family and people close to him.
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Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, leaves a House Oversight Committee meeting at the Capitol. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
In such cases, a pardon could actually limit Hunter Biden's ability to assert Fifth Amendment privilege, since he is no longer at risk of criminal charges.
But pardons only apply to federal crimes, not state crimes, leaving the question open to how Republicans can take action on this potential loophole in the coming weeks and months. It is still unclear whether or not they will take action.
Still, as Republicans prepare to regain control of both chambers of Congress in January and the possibility of a Republican-led investigation into the outgoing president increases, the issue of Fifth Amendment protections becomes more likely. is very important.
in an interview monday night newsmaxHouse Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said he plans to discuss Hunter Biden's Fifth Amendment privileges with President Trump's attorney general nominee Pam Bondi.
“I look forward to speaking with Attorney General Bondi on this matter,” the Kentucky Republican said.
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Vice President-elect Joe Biden stands with his son Hunter Biden during a reenactment of the Senate swearing-in ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber at the Capitol. (AP Photo/Charles Dalapak, File)
“There is still information that we requested but did not receive,” Comer said, adding that the White House “to this day is blocking the legitimate evidence we should have gotten.” added.
Any investigation into Biden's family after he leaves office is likely to be criticized by Democrats as wasteful and a waste of taxpayer money, given the nature of previous investigations, Hunter's own pardon, and Biden's own lame-duck status.
Comer's office did not respond to questions from Fox News Digital about whether the House Oversight Committee plans to investigate Biden's actions in the next Congress or his opinion on Hunter's ability to speak on the fifth. Did not answer.
But questions about this potential loophole emerged just days after President Joe Biden announced a significant pardon grant for his only surviving son.
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Earlier Tuesday, the federal judge overseeing Hunter Biden's firearms case in Delaware announced a halt to future court proceedings, including a sentencing date scheduled for December. Earlier this year, a Delaware jury found Hunter guilty on all three federal felony weapons charges brought against him.
In concluding the proceedings, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika stopped short of dismissing the case outright, as requested by Hunter Biden's lawyers.
Hunter Biden pleaded guilty in September to another federal charge of tax evasion in California, which is also eligible for the pardon.
The judge in the case, Judge Mark Scalsi, has not yet announced whether he will terminate proceedings against Hunter or dismiss the case altogether.
