President Biden saves son from prison time

WASHINGTON: In a controversial move, US President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, sparing him from potential prison time and erasing the humiliation of felony convictions.

This decision marks a reversal of Biden’s earlier promise not to use his presidential powers for family benefits.

Hunter Biden, 54, had pleaded guilty in September to nine federal tax charges in Los Angeles, related to falsifying records and failing to file returns during a period marked by substance abuse and reckless spending. He faced up to 17 years in prison but was expected to serve a reduced sentence of about three years.

Earlier this year, a Wilmington jury found him guilty of three felony counts for lying on a federal firearms application. The trial publicly exposed his struggles with addiction and his tumultuous personal life.

President Biden had previously stated he would not pardon his son, calling the legal proceedings fair. However, in a statement issued Sunday, Biden called the prosecution politically motivated and labeled it a “miscarriage of justice.”

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“The charges against Hunter were instigated by political opponents aiming to attack me and oppose my election,” Biden said. “No reasonable person can conclude otherwise.”

Hunter’s legal troubles included a maximum potential sentence of 25 years for the gun conviction, though experts anticipated a lesser sentence of up to 16 months. The sentences were likely to run concurrently.

Following the pardon, Hunter’s lawyers informed courts in California and Delaware that the hearings were no longer necessary. The decision has sparked debate, raising questions about fairness and presidential authority.