In a recent development, the White House has firmly put an end to any speculation about President Joe Biden granting a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden. The younger Biden is facing misdemeanor tax and gun charges, and despite conservative critics’ concerns, there will be no presidential intervention to shield him from the legal consequences of his actions. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre left no room for ambiguity when asked about the possibility of a pardon, responding with a resolute “No.” This statement provides assurance to those who were anxious about a potential misuse of presidential authority for personal reasons.
The situation took a new turn on Wednesday when US District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika rejected what was being called a “sweetheart deal” for Hunter Biden. The judge raised valid concerns about the deal potentially granting immunity to Hunter for any future crimes he may be liable for. Both the defense and prosecution were given a fortnight to renegotiate the terms of the agreement, as they failed to address the judge’s doubts satisfactorily. It is important to note that President Biden had not indicated any intention of pardoning his son from the beginning.
Nevertheless, right-wing conservatives speculated that he might follow in the footsteps of former President Donald Trump, who granted pardons and commutations to some political allies, such as Stephen Bannon and Roger Stone. Initially, Hunter Biden had reached an agreement with prosecutors, which involved pleading guilty to two tax charges in exchange for avoiding prosecution on a gun-related charge. This agreement was believed to spare him from serving jail time. However, the judge halted the process, refusing to “rubber stamp the agreement” and prompting Hunter to plead not guilty to the tax charges.
Judge Noreika, who was appointed to the bench by former President Donald Trump, has now given Hunter Biden a 14-day window to reach a new agreement with the prosecution and present it to her for review. Should the new terms satisfy the judge’s concerns, Hunter Biden is expected to reverse his plea. As the legal process continues, all eyes are on the negotiation between Hunter Biden’s lawyers and the prosecutors to see if they can strike a deal that will meet the court’s approval. The White House’s clear stance against any pardon further reinforces the notion that the legal proceedings will unfold without any interference from President Joe Biden.