The eldest son, Hunter Biden, appeared on camera for the first time since his father's pardon, smiling for the cameras as he picked up a fast food order in California.
Hunter Biden was seen shopping for food at Arby's in Santa Barbara on Wednesday afternoon wearing a T-shirt, jeans and a baseball cap.
These photos were released after Biden announced Sunday night that he would waive his son's sentence in two separate cases where he was convicted of illegally purchasing guns and failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes. It was done. Biden said in a statement that Hunter Biden's conviction was politically motivated and a “miscarriage of justice.”
“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.”
Biden twice said he would not forgive his son Hunter Biden
Hunter Biden is all smiles as he leaves Arby's in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. This is the first time President Joe Biden's son has been photographed since being pardoned by his father. (Fox News Digital Image Direct)
He continued: “It's clear that Mr. Hunter was treated differently. The charges in his lawsuit come after several of my political opponents in Congress attacked me and incited me to contest my election. The first time it happened, it was then agreed to by the Department of Justice and unraveled in court. Had the plea deal been done, it would have been a fair and reasonable resolution for Hunter. case,” he continued.
Biden pardons son Hunter Biden before leaving Oval Office
Hunter Biden is all smiles as he leaves Arby's in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. This is the first time President Joe Biden's son has been photographed since being pardoned by his father. (Fox News Digital Image Direct)
“I believe in the justice system, but as I have worked on this issue, I also believe that raw politics has infected this process and that has led to miscarriages of justice. Once he made it, there was no point in delaying it.'' He also hopes Americans understand why his father and the president are making this decision. ”
The pardon is in stark contrast to the president's statement earlier this year that he would not pardon Hunter's son, either before or after Hunter was found guilty in a firearms trial in June.
After Biden spares Hunter his sentence, who else will pardon him?
“I'm not going to do anything,” Biden said after Hunter was convicted in the gun case. “I comply jury decision. ”
Hunter Biden is all smiles as he leaves Arby's in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. This is the first time President Joe Biden's son has been photographed since being pardoned by his father. (Fox News Digital Image Direct)
Hunter Biden was found guilty on June 11 of lying about his drug use when purchasing a gun in 2018. He was found guilty of three counts of making a false statement when purchasing a firearm and making a false statement in relation to information required to be retained. Possession of a firearm by a federally licensed gun dealer and by an illegal user or addict of a controlled substance.
Hunter Biden has an extensive and well-documented history of addiction, best illustrated in his 2021 memoir Beautiful Things, which takes readers through his spiral into crack cocaine use. .
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In September, Hunter Biden faced a new trial in a California court on three felony tax crimes and six misdemeanor charges for allegedly failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. As jury selection was about to begin, Los Angeles federal courtHunter made a surprise guilty plea.
