Defending President Biden's Decision To Join Hunter, White House: They're Chasing His Son

JAKARTA - The White House said President Joe Biden's move to pardon his son Hunter as part of an effort to protect him from persecution against political opponents in the future, adding the Democratic Party politician trusted the United States justice system.

Hunter was charged with tax violations and charges related to possession of firearms, after years of scrutiny by Republicans in Congress who accused him of making a business deal using his father's name, but failed to establish a clear relationship.

President Biden signed an unconditional pardon for Hunter Biden on Sunday. He said he believed his son had been selectively prosecuted and became an unfair target by the president's political opponents.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday defended Joe Biden's actions, saying the president believed Hunter faced further sadness from his enemies, who were not named.

"One of the reasons the president grants forgiveness is because they seem - their political opponents - will not let go. They don't seem to forget about it," he told reporters at Air Force One during his trip to Angola.

Jean-Pierre was among the White House officials who repeatedly said in the past President Biden would not pardon his son.

"They will continue to pursue his son. That's what he believes in."

Jean-Pierre stressed that this is not the first time the US President has forgiven his family members. Bill Clinton forgiven Roger's half-brother before he left his post. Trump himself forgives his daughter-in-law, Charles Kushner.

He further explained that President Biden believed in the Department of Justice, although he stated that his son's judicial proceedings were "infected" by politics.

"Two things can be true: the president believes in the justice system and the Department, he also believes that his son is politically ostracized," Jean-Pierre said.

He declined to provide further details on why or how President Biden changed his mind, or whether the recent general election that put the Republican Party in power at the White House and Congress (Senat and DPR) also affected.

Earlier, President Biden said he would not pardon his son, including ABC News in June when he was asked if he would put it aside and replied "yes."

On the other hand, Trump's actions have also drawn strong criticism, with some Democrat politicians saying it undermines public confidence in the rule of law.

"Joe Biden has the opportunity to do more than just protect his own people. He can show the same mercy as he showed his son to the millions of people trapped in prison for non-violent offenses," Black Lives Matter tweeted in a post on X.

Hunter Biden pleaded guilty in September to federal tax charges in a federal court in Los Angeles and will be sentenced on December 16 under Mark C. Scarsi, a judge nominated by Republican President-elect Donald Trump.

Separately, the jury found him guilty in June for making false statements on the background examination of the gun. He will be sentenced to the charges this month as well.