By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Joe Biden the outgoing President of United States of America has announced the pardoning of his son Hunter Biden on his federal tax and gun convictions.
Hunter Biden was convicted by a jury in June of illegally buying and possessing a gun as a drug user, after a gut-wrenching trial that delved into his drug abuse and family dysfunction.
He then pleaded guilty in September to nine tax offenses, stemming from $1.4 million in taxes that he didn’t pay while spending lavishly on escorts, strippers, cars and drugs.
Joe Biden the President released a statement saying “I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted.”
President Biden emphasized that his son was singled out and selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted due to his family ties. He further pointed out that people are rarely brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form, unless there are aggravating factors such as use in a crime or multiple purchases.
“Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form”
“Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently,” he added.
In a social media post Sunday night, incoming President of the US, Donald Trump called the pardon “such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice”
The elected President Donald Trump also asked whether the pardon includes his supporters who attacked the US Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection whom he has promised to pardon once he’s back in office,” said Donald Trump.