White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was bombarded with questions from reporters during her first televised news conference since President Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden.
She also spoke to reporters from Air Force One earlier this week.
Asked by an Associated Press reporter about Hunter Biden's pardon, Jean-Pierre said, “The statement he made on Sunday about his decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden was in his own voice. ” he said.
“I think that makes his point. And he did. He wrestled with this. He wrestled with this, and again, he said in his statement that his voice And I said I made that decision last weekend.”
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When the president and Jean-Pierre were questioned in the summer, the president made it clear that he would not pardon his son.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing at the White House, Friday, December 6, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
“Things have changed,” Jean-Pierre insisted.
“Republicans have said they're not going to slow down, they're not going to stop,” she said. “President Trump's recently announced law enforcement appointees have said on the campaign trail that they are looking to retaliate, and I think we should take them at their word, right? You should believe what I say.”
She added that the president said in a statement that Hunter and the Biden family have been through “enough.”
“And he wrestled with these circumstances, changing circumstances, and ultimately a combination of them… which certainly led to the president changing his mind and issuing this pardon,” she explained. .
But reporters continued to press her on the issue, asking if she owed the American people an apology. Jean-Pierre appeared to sidestep the question and instead urged the public to read the president's statement.
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“He struggled with it,” she repeated. “He wrestled with it and made this decision, and that's what I can say to the American people.
President Biden's son Hunter Biden (right) watches as the president gestures to his “Team USA” jacket on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, D.C., July 26, 2024. (Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“I think the American people understand, and I think they understand how difficult this decision is, and I would actually add, I think it’s important to be careful here. When you're asking me these questions, that's an important question to ask. There was a poll, a U.S. government poll, some of you reported on that.
“And it says 64% of the American people are in favor of this pardon. That means 64% of the American people are in favor of this pardon. So what does the American people think about this? Obviously, this is a poll, but it gives you a little idea of where you stand.'' 64 percent of insight is nothing to sneeze at. ”
He said some legal experts have argued that Hunter Biden is being politically targeted, saying, “I don't think anyone would be criminally charged with a felony given these facts.” pointed out.
Hunter Biden was convicted of three felonies related to illegally possessing a firearm while a drug user. He also pleaded guilty in a federal tax case.
hunter biden (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
He was also asked whether the president was concerned about his credibility regarding the pardon and allegations that he had “misled the public.”
“In fact, given these facts, no one would ever be criminally prosecuted for a family crime,” Biden said again. pointed out the statement.
One reporter also noted that Biden has received “quick criticism” from members of his own party for “backsliding” and expressed concern that President-elect Trump and the Republican Party could use the pardon against them in the future. I am doing it.
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Asked if he needed to respond to criticism from Democrats, Jean-Pierre said: “He's going to focus on the American people.”
