Biden Joins Tradition of Presidential Pardons for Family Members

Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, received a "full and unconditional" pardon, a rare occasion of a sitting president pardoning a family member. The choice positions Biden in line with prior presidents who have benefited relatives with their pardon authority.

Having battled addiction, Hunter Biden entered a guilty plea to tax evasion charges in September and ran a possibility of spending up to 17 years in jail. He also dealt with a felony gun charge with a 25-year sentence possibility. Hunter was "selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted," President Biden claimed in his speech, citing his son's status as his agent. Biden said, "I believe in the justice system; but, raw politics contaminated this process and resulted in a miscarriage of justice."

The action matches past presidential pardons for relatives. On his last day of office in 2001, Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton, who had served time for 1985 cocaine charges. Donald Trump pardoned for charges including tax evasion and witness tampering Charles Kushner, his son-in-law Jared Kushner's father. Serving fourteen months in jail, Charles Kushner was then chosen by Trump as the next US ambassador to France.

Also controversially pardoned by presidents are political associates. Still hotly contested in US history is Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon in 1974 for his involvement in the Watergate affair. Ford said it was vital for the country to heal, although at the time it faced strong opposition.

Hunter Biden's pardon highlights its dual function as a political lightning rod and an instrument of justice, hence augmenting the convoluted history of presidential clemency. Biden steps out of office on January 20; his choice is probably going to spark more discussion on the application of presidential pardon authority.