Elon Musk and Bill Ackman are among the fiercest critics who have slammed Joe Biden for reversing his decision not to pardon his son Hunter.
Biden’s surprise U-turn decision will see Hunter pardoned for any crimes he may have committed “from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024.” It comes just weeks after the White House denied that the president would take this drastic step in the final months of his lame-duck presidency.
It comes after he claimed several times, as recently as this month, that he would ‘not pardon’ his son.
Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman said of Biden’s decision to pardon his son: “What kind of person would lie repeatedly about never forgiving his son and respecting the court outcome if he runs for office, and then pardon him as soon as they have withdrawn their candidacy?
“How would you describe such a person?”
The head of Pershing Square added, “Until his polls collapsed, this was the best candidate (in his prime) and family that the Democratic Party could muster for the office of president. What a shame.’
Elon Musk, meanwhile, said of Biden’s about-face: “Fate loves irony… but hates hypocrisy.”
He later described Biden supporters who saw no problem with the presidential pardon as “Orwellian doublespeak.”
President Joe Biden stands with his son Hunter Biden, who was found guilty of all three charges in his trial on weapons charges earlier today, after President Biden arrived at the Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware, USA, 11 June , 2024
Other critics, including Donald Trump Jr. and conservative commentator Liz Wheeler, accused Biden of lying to the American people.
Don Jr. said on X: ‘Everyone knew he was going to do it. He would just do it if it had no consequences for the electoral possibilities of democracy.
“Hunter Biden joined Burisma’s board in 2014,” wrote conservative commentator Liz Wheeler. “By pardoning Hunter for all crimes he ‘may have committed’ between 2014 and 2024, Joe Biden is protecting his family’s criminal cartel. Wow.’
She added that Biden is protecting his son from the potential new head of the FBI: “This pardon is not about the gun charge. The Big Guy is protecting himself from Kash Patel.”
The pardon covers both the gun charge and Hunter’s guilty plea. CNN reported that the judges overseeing his cases will most likely cancel the sentencing hearings he was scheduled to attend on December 12 for the gun case and on December 16 for the tax case.
The broad pardon also absolves him of any crimes he may have committed between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 1, 2024, including his full term on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma, as well as much of his other overseas work, including in China.
Hunter joined Burisma’s board in 2014 and was paid millions for his role in the company, despite having no background in the gas or energy industries.
For months, the country wondered whether the president would pardon his failing son because of his convictions for federal gun and tax fraud.
Hunter vacationed with his father and the rest of the Bidens on Nantucket, Rhode Island, last season
It goes against what Biden recently said in June, saying directly to the press: ‘I will not pardon him’
NBC News reported for the first time on Sunday evening that Biden planned to pardon his son. A few minutes later, the White House released a statement.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Donald Trump denounced what they called the Democratic-controlled justice system but did not appear to disagree with the decision.
“The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proven that the Democrat-controlled DOJ and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system,” Steven Cheung told DailyMail.com
“That justice system must be restored and due process must be restored for all Americans, and that is exactly what President Trump will do when he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people.”
On Truth Social, however, he was a little angrier, questioning whether the same courtesy would be extended to those charged for their actions at the Capitol on January 6.
He wrote, “Does Joe’s pardon for Hunter include the J-6 hostages, who have been imprisoned for years now? What an abuse and miscarriage of justice!’
Abbe Lowell, a key member of 54-year-old Hunter’s legal team, had begun convincing his client’s press that he was a political prisoner.
“This is a seven-year story, propelled by an unrelenting political desire to use a son to hurt his father,” Lowell said.
President Joe Biden attends Saturday Mass at St Mary, Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church in Nantucket. He was accompanied by his son Hunter, daughter Ashley and grandson Beau
For months, the country wondered whether the president would pardon his failing son because of his federal gun and tax fraud convictions.
Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution gives the president general power to pardon any federal crime, something most outgoing presidents do in their final days in office, some controversially, others routinely.
Lowell has reiterated that the only reason Hunter is being convicted is for political gain for his father’s enemies.
“It’s a wild and terrifying story that serves as a stark warning of what’s to come as some of the same Republicans who targeted Hunter prepare to resume power and have declared their intention to use the administration’s enormous power to to pursue their perceived enemies” Lowell told it the Washington Post.
In June, Biden reiterated his vow not to forgive his son in his first public comments on Hunter since last week’s sentencing. Hunter faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
He also said he was confident his son received a fair trial and reiterated his support for him.
‘I am extremely proud of my son Hunter. He has overcome an addiction. He’s one of the smartest, most decent men I know. And I’m satisfied that I’m not going to do anything. I said I would abide by the jury’s decision. I will. And I will not pardon him,” Biden said Thursday.
And he simply said “no” when asked directly if he would commute Hunter’s sentence.
Both Biden and his spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre have repeatedly denied that Hunter will be pardoned by his father.
When asked in November – just over 24 hours after the presidential election was called in Trump’s favor – whether Biden plans to pardon his son, Jean-Pierre replied: “We’ve been asked that question several times. Our answer remains: no.’