Hunter Biden acknowledges that his presidential pardon was bad for America

In an interview with the BBC, Hunter Biden admitted that the presidential pardon granted by his father, Joe Biden, in December 2024 was "not good" for the American people, the Constitution, or the legacy of the former president. He nevertheless expressed his gratitude to his father.

“I am the most privileged person there is.” That’s how Hunter Biden opened his interview with Newsnight, aware of the exceptional nature of the pardon he received. Granted in December 2024 by Joe Biden, this measure covered his federal conviction for illegal possession of a firearm, a tax case to which he had pleaded guilty, as well as all federal offenses committed between 2014 and 2024.

Hunter Biden readily acknowledged that the decision was "easily open to criticism, and for good reason." He admitted it was "not good" for the American people or the Constitution, and that it damaged his father's legacy. But he immediately turned the question back on him: "What would you have thought of my father if he hadn't done this for me?"

According to him, Joe Biden acted out of fear that his son would become a target of the Trump administration. "I was the only person in the world who could get what I got, from the only person in the world who could grant it to me: my father," he said. He also asserted that the question of a possible pardon had never been discussed between them before it was granted, believing that such a conversation could not have remained secret.

Joe Biden had repeatedly stated before December 2024 that he would not use his presidential powers to interfere in his son's legal cases. In announcing his decision, he justified this reversal by claiming that his son had been "selectively and unfairly prosecuted."

The interview took a more personal turn when Hunter Biden spoke about his father's health. His voice breaking, he described the illness as "really, really difficult" and "very painful." He explained that Joe Biden's cancer had progressed, calling it "very debilitating." "The only thing I'll say about my dad's health right now is that I wish he'd complain more," he confided.

Hunter Biden also reflected on the June 2024 presidential debate, which precipitated Joe Biden's withdrawal from the White House race. From his home in California, he watched his father's performance live. "I was in shock. I knew something was wrong." He has since speculated that his father's illness may have already been affecting his abilities at that time.

Regarding his own future, Hunter Biden has ruled out any political ambitions. He says he wants to dedicate his energy to fighting addiction and promoting recovery, a cause he sees as capable of uniting people across party lines. "I believe that addiction and the hope of recovery are things that unite us all," he said. What he is most proud of in his father is not his political career, but his resilience: "He's the strongest man I know."