In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, President Joe Biden recently pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, sparking intense debate and drawing accusations of hypocrisy, political manipulation, and the undermining of the rule of law. For months, Biden had stated publicly that he would not intervene in the legal proceedings involving his son, promising to allow the justice system to run its course. Yet, despite this vow, Biden’s sudden decision to extend a pardon to Hunter has raised serious questions about his integrity, his commitment to justice, and the true motives behind this controversial move.

Hunter Biden's Legal Troubles

Hunter Biden has been entangled in a series of legal battles that have left many Americans questioning his actions, as well as the lack of accountability that seems to have followed him throughout his career. To date, Hunter has been charged with a number of serious crimes. Most notably, he pleaded guilty to two federal tax misdemeanors, acknowledging that he failed to pay taxes on over $100,000 in income from 2017 and 2018. As part of a plea agreement, Hunter was expected to face probation and enter a diversion program for the tax-related charges, avoiding jail time.

However, Hunter’s legal troubles don't end there. He is also facing a charge related to possession of a firearm by a drug user, which is a felony under federal law. Hunter, who had struggled with addiction, allegedly lied about his drug use when purchasing a firearm in 2018. To date, this charge has yet to be resolved, and many expect that the Biden Administration’s interference will prevent the full consequences of Hunter’s actions from ever coming to fruition. It is not just his legal violations but the unseemly pattern of preferential treatment that has left a sour taste for many Americans who believe in the principle of equal justice under the law.

And there is a glaring crime that is yet to be formally charged against Hunter Biden, which remains a significant point of contention: his involvement in potential international corruption and influence-peddling schemes. Hunter’s business dealings in Ukraine and China, while not officially charged as crimes, have raised legitimate concerns about whether he used his father’s position as vice president to enrich himself. The investigation into Hunter's foreign business dealings remains ongoing, and the question looms: why is Hunter still free to roam without facing formal charges for what many believe was illegal activity?

A Flip-Flop on Biden’s Promises

President Biden's flip-flopping on his stance toward Hunter's legal matters has only deepened the distrust in his administration. Just months ago, the president insisted that he would not interfere with the legal process, stating that it was a matter for the courts to handle. Yet now, in what appears to be a blatant act of political favoritism, Joe Biden has pardoned his son, effectively sidestepping the consequences of his actions.

Biden's stance now contradicts his earlier rhetoric, signaling a stark hypocrisy. He has repeatedly espoused the virtues of a fair and unbiased justice system, a system that should apply equally to all Americans regardless of their political connections. Yet his actions reveal that the application of the law is, in his view, conditional on political power. By extending a pardon to Hunter, Biden not only undermines his own previous statements but sends a dangerous message that political elites are above the law.

Legacy Media’s Hypocrisy

What is perhaps even more infuriating is the response from the legacy media. For months, they echoed Biden's stance that he would not pardon Hunter, largely dismissing any possibility that such an event might occur. When Biden did exactly what he had promised not to, the media's response was far from the outcry one might expect. The same outlets that had long championed Biden’s position are now conveniently silent, failing to hold the president accountable for his blatant hypocrisy.

If this had been a Republican president, specifically Donald Trump, the media’s reaction would have been nothing short of hysterical. The double standard is unmistakable. If Trump had pardoned his children under similar circumstances, the media would have erupted in outrage, decrying it as a clear abuse of power and a direct assault on the rule of law. Yet, with Biden, the same media outlets remain silent, illustrating their complete lack of consistency and their clear bias.

Weaponizing the DOJ

Biden’s claim that his opponents are "weaponizing the DOJ" to selectively target his family members is not only a distraction but a deflection from the real issue at hand: it is the Biden administration that has weaponized the DOJ. Throughout his presidency, Biden has overseen an administration that has consistently used the Department of Justice to push its political agenda. From the ongoing investigation into Donald Trump to the targeting of conservative groups and individuals, the DOJ under Biden has become a tool for political retribution.

The ongoing scrutiny of Hunter Biden’s business dealings — which, ironically, was initiated under the Trump administration — highlights the uneven application of justice. While Republicans have faced constant investigations and legal scrutiny, Democrats, including the Bidens, have been afforded extraordinary protection. Biden’s claim that his opponents are misusing the justice system is a clear reversal of reality. It is his own administration that has sought to manipulate the DOJ for political gain, from prosecuting political opponents to shielding his own family from accountability.

Conclusion

President Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter is a clear violation of the principles of fairness and justice that he claims to uphold. It undermines the rule of law, reveals a profound hypocrisy, and exposes the glaring double standards that have come to define this administration. The American people deserve better — they deserve a justice system that treats all citizens equally, regardless of their political connections. Joe Biden’s actions send the message that, for the political elite, justice is not blind. It is, instead, a tool to be wielded when convenient, and disregarded when inconvenient.

This isn’t just about Hunter Biden’s legal issues; it’s about the broader erosion of trust in the fairness of our legal system. If the president can pardon his son in this manner, who is truly held accountable in America?

References:

• CNN, "Hunter Biden pleads guilty to misdemeanor tax charges," July 2023
• The New York Times, "Hunter Biden’s Business Dealings: What We Know," August 2023
• The Washington Post, "Biden’s Legal Troubles and the Growing Investigation into His Son," November 2024