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President Joe Biden has issued a pardon for his son Hunter, who has been convicted of gun charges and pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion.

In a statement released by the White House, the US president said he had given clemency to Hunter, who was due to be sentenced later this month on two separate criminal cases.

“From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,” he said.

“Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form.

“Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions.

“It is clear that Hunter was treated differently.”

Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion earlier this year. He was also found guilty on charges related to gun possession and drug use.
Pic: Reuters
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Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion earlier this year. Pic: Reuters

Hunter, 54, was convicted of three firearm charges in June, marking the first criminal prosecution of a sitting US president’s child.

More on Hunter Biden

Prosecutors said he lied on a form when buying a Colt Cobra revolver in October 2018 by stating he was not a drug user or addict, despite having a problem with crack cocaine.

Two months later, Hunter pleaded guilty to federal tax charges. He was due to stand trial on criminal charges of failing to pay $1.4m (£1.06m) in taxes while allegedly spending lavishly on drugs, sex workers and luxury items.

The “full and unconditional pardon” covers both the gun charges and federal tax evasion, for which Hunter was due to be sentenced on 12 December and 16 December respectively.

Joe Biden, Jill Biden and Hunter Biden at the University of Pennsylvania graduation ceremony, 15 May 2023.
Pic: Reuters
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Hunter was set to be sentenced on both criminal cases later this month. Pic: Reuters

‘Enough is enough’

In the statement, President Biden continued to say the charges against Hunter “came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election”.

The 82-year-old then said Hunter’s plea deal “agreed to by the Department of Justice, unravelled in the courtroom – with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process”.

Noting Hunter’s battle with addiction, the president added: “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son – and that is wrong.

“There has been an effort to break Hunter – who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution.

“In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me – and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough.”

Read more on the Bidens:
President Biden pardons two turkeys
Hunter: Republicans trying to ‘kill me’

U-turn from president

President Biden then said: “For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth. They’ll be fair-minded.”

He insisted “I believe in the justice system,” but said he believes “raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice,” before adding: “I hope Americans will understand why a father and a president would come to this decision.”

It marks a U-turn from the president, however, as he had previously categorically ruled out a pardon or commutation for his son.

President Biden told reporters as Hunter faced trial in the Delaware gun case: “I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.”

And as recently as 8 November – the day after Donald Trump was declared the winner in the 2024 election – White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre ruled out a pardon or clemency for Hunter.

“We’ve been asked that question multiple times,” she said. “Our answer stands, which is no.”

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Hunter Biden leaving court on Thursday. Pic: Reuters
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Hunter was also found guilty on charges related to gun possession and drug use. Pic: Reuters

Hunter: Cases were ‘political sport’

In a separate statement on Sunday, Hunter said he has “admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction”, but said those mistakes “have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport”.

He added: “In recovery we can be given the opportunity to make amends where possible and rebuild our lives if we never take for granted the mercy that we have been afforded.

“I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”

In response to the pardon, Mr Trump took to Truth Social to call for the release of those imprisoned for the 6 Janaury riots, asking: “Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?”

As of 6 August, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said approximately 562 defendants who were sentenced over charges relating to storming the Capitol Building were jailed.

The president-elect then said: “Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!”

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Elon Musk says he’s created his own political party – the ‘America Party’

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Elon Musk says he's created his own political party - the 'America Party'

Elon Musk says he has created a new political party – the America Party –
after asking his followers if he should do so in an online poll.

It follows his public falling out with Republican President Donald Trump.

On Friday, the billionaire had asked his followers on X whether a new US political party should be created.

On Saturday evening he wrote on the same platform: “By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!

“When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.

“Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

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Trump threatens to ‘put DOGE’ on Musk

The world’s richest man made the announcement just one day after President Trump signed a tax-cut and spending bill into law on Friday, which Musk had fiercely opposed.

More on Elon Musk

Musk had previously said we would form and fund a new political party to unseat lawmakers who supported the bill.

From bromance to bust-up

The Tesla boss backed Trump’s election campaign with more than a quarter of a billion dollars, later rewarded with a high profile role running the newly created department of government efficiency (DOGE).

But observers of the two men, both with huge wealth and reputations, wondered how long the bromance would last.

Elon Musk receives a golden key from U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Pic: Reuters
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Donald Trump gave Musk a warm send-off in the Oval Office in May. Pic: Reuters

In May Musk left the role, still on good terms with Trump but criticising key parts of his legislative agenda.

After that, the attacks ramped up, with Musk slamming the sweeping tax and spending bill as a “disgusting abomination” and Trump hitting back in a barbed tit-for-tat.

Trump earlier this week threatened to cut off the billion-dollar federal subsidies that flow to Musk’s companies, and said he would even consider deporting him.

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Is this the most powerful Trump’s been?

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Is this the most powerful Trump's been?

👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈

Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ has passed and he’s due to sign it into law on Independence Day. Mark Stone and David Blevins discuss how the bill will supercharge his presidency, despite its critics.

They also chat Gaza and Ukraine, as Donald Trump meets with freed Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander and talks to Vladimir Putin.

If you’ve got a question you’d like the Trump100 team to answer, you can email it to trump100@sky.uk.

You can also watch all episodes on our YouTube channel.

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At least 13 people confirmed dead and more than 20 missing from girls camp in Texas flooding

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At least 13 people confirmed dead and more than 20 missing from girls camp in Texas flooding

13 people have been killed in the US state of Texas after heavy rain caused flash flooding, according to local media reports.

Officials have also said more than 20 are missing from a girls’ camp in Texas.

As much as 10 inches (25 centimetres) of heavy rain fell in just a few hours overnight in central Kerr County, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River.

Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in the county, confirmed fatalities from the flooding and dozens of water rescues so far.

A flood watch issued on Thursday afternoon estimated isolated amounts up to seven inches (17 centimetres) of rising water.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

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