Joe Biden Rules Out Pardon for Hunter as He Vows to Respect Any Verdict in Son's Federal Gun Trial
Hunter Biden, 54, faces up to 25 years in prison if a Delaware jury chooses to convict him on three gun-related charges
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Joe and Hunter Biden at the White House Easter Egg Roll on April 1, 2024President Joe Biden has ruled out a future pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted in his ongoing federal trial.
On Thursday, June 6, the president told ABC News' David Muir that he will accept any outcome in Hunter's trial. He also affirmed that if a guilty verdict is reached, he will not use his presidential pardon power to help his son walk free.
Hunter, 54, began his first of two criminal trials on June 3, reporting to a Wilmington, Del., courthouse in the company of loved ones. Federal prosecutors allege that Hunter lied to illegally obtain a gun in 2018, then possessed it for 11 days while under the influence of narcotics.
The legal saga marks the first-ever criminal case against a sitting president's child, and if Hunter is convicted of all charges, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
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Hunter Biden arrives for the first day of his federal gun trial on June 3, accompanied by his wife, Melissa Cohen BidenIn the weekend leading up to Hunter's trial, the Biden family spent quality time together in Delaware. President Biden was spotted riding his bicycle alongside Hunter, and the two attended an afternoon church service.
When the trial began, Hunter's father released a lengthy statement expressing "boundless love" for him despite the complicated circumstances.
"I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today," President Biden said on Monday morning. "Hunter's resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us. A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean."
"As the President, I don't and won't comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength. Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support," he continued.
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Joe and Jill Biden hug their children, Hunter and Ashley, at the 2021 presidential inaugurationThe president's affirmation to Muir on Thursday that he will not interfere with the criminal justice system echoes what White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said months earlier when the charges against Hunter first dropped.
Related: White House Weighs In on Whether the President Would Consider Pardon for Hunter Biden
President Biden's promise to respect what the jury decides in his son's trial sends a powerful message to voters, as he aims to draw a distinction between his view of democracy and Donald Trump's.
Trump has routinely attacked the justice system when it's worked against him, and recently spread baseless claims that his felony conviction was the result of a "rigged" trial.
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During the president's conversation with ABC News, he admitted frustration with Trump's rhetoric surrounding the rule of law.
"He's trying to undermine it," Biden told Muir. "He got a fair trial. The jury spoke."
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