President Joe Biden said Thursday that he would not commute Hunter’s sentence and renewed his promise not to pardon his son after a jury found him guilty of three federal gun charges on Tuesday.
Biden addressed his son’s conviction at the Group of Seven conference in Italy, where he joined world leaders to address matters of national security.
“I’m extremely proud of my son Hunter,” Biden said. “He has overcome an addiction. He is one of the brightest, most decent men I know.”
“I will not pardon him,” Biden added.
As Biden was leaving the news conference, a reporter shouted a question about commuting Hunter’s sentence, and Biden shouted “no” in response. Yesterday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre appeared to not rule out a commutation for Hunter Biden following the conviction.
The first son is facing is up to 25 years in prison, but will likely receive a much more lenient sentence as a first-time, non-violent offender.
Joe Biden’s statement echoes the one he gave at the start of the trial, expressing how “proud” he was of Hunter for overcoming his addiction. It also renews his promise, made before the verdict, that he would respect the outcome and not pardon his son.
A jury in Delaware convicted Hunter on three federal gun charges stemming from lying about his crack-cocaine addiction on gun paperwork and possessing a firearm during his addiction battle. The devastation Hunter Biden’s addiction to crack cocaine wrought on the people around him was a major element of the criminal trial.
After the trial, Hunter expressed gratitude towards his family for helping him recover from his addiction. His current wife Melissa, First Lady Jill Biden, and uncle and business partner James Biden were among the family members who came to the trial to show support.
Hunter Biden is expected to appeal the conviction based primarily on Second Amendment grounds, despite his father’s support for strong gun regulations. Judge Maryellen Noreika said on Tuesday Biden’s sentencing would take place in the next 120 days.
Although the maximum sentence for Hunter Biden’s crimes is 25 years, he will likely receive a significantly reduced sentence as a first-time, non-violent offender. In September, Hunter Biden will stand trial again on nine federal tax charges for allegedly failing to pay over $1.4 million of taxes over a four year period. Special counsel David Weiss’s team of prosecutors are set to face off against Biden’s legal team a second time.
At the G7 meeting, Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a long-term security pact on Thursday committing American resources to Ukraine’s military for the next decade.