White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has emphatically denied any suggestion that US President Joe Biden would consider pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, who is currently facing charges of tax evasion and illegal gun possession. During her daily briefing on Thursday, Jean-Pierre was asked by a journalist if there was a possibility of the president pardoning his son. To this, Jean-Pierre simply responded with a firm “No.” When pressed for further details, she reiterated the same response, making it clear that the president had no intentions of pardoning his son.
However, Jean-Pierre declined to comment on whether President Biden had spoken to his son since a judge rejected his prospective plea agreement the previous day. This deal would have seen Hunter Biden pleading guilty to two tax charges and receiving probation instead of a prison sentence. Additionally, he would have joined a pretrial diversion program instead of facing charges related to the illegal possession of a firearm while under the influence of drugs.
The rejection of the settlement by US District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika was primarily due to its atypical nature and lack of straightforwardness. Noreika expressed concerns over provisions that may grant Hunter Biden blanket immunity, potentially shielding him from further prosecution. Apart from the current charges, the president’s son could also face federal charges for failing to register as a foreign agent before engaging in lucrative business deals in countries such as Ukraine and China.
The tax charges against Hunter Biden relate to his failure to pay taxes on over $1.5 million in income during 2017 and 2018. So far, he has pleaded not guilty to both counts.
The denial by the White House press secretary comes amidst mounting legal issues surrounding Hunter Biden. The potential for a presidential pardon had sparked speculation, but the statement from Jean-Pierre firmly quashes any such possibility.
It is important to note that the president’s power to grant pardons extends to federal offenses, and the charges against Hunter Biden fall within this jurisdiction. However, it is up to the president’s discretion to exercise this power, and in this case, the White House has made it clear that there will be no pardon for Hunter Biden.
The rejection of the plea agreement highlights the complexities of the legal proceedings against Hunter Biden. The involvement of tax charges, illegal gun possession, and potential foreign agent violations has made his case far from straightforward. As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how Hunter Biden’s legal team will navigate these challenges and whether any further plea agreement will be reached in the future.
President Biden’s administration continues to face scrutiny and criticism due to the ongoing legal issues involving his son. The denial of a potential pardon further distances the president from his son’s legal troubles, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to upholding the law and allowing justice to run its course.
As this story develops, updates on Hunter Biden’s legal proceedings and any potential new plea agreements or developments will be closely watched. The transparency and accountability of the legal system will be crucial in addressing these charges and determining any potential consequences for Hunter Biden.
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