Biden Pardons Hunter: A Timeline of Reversals

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Hunter Biden was convicted of gun charges in June and pleaded guilty to tax offenses in September, facing possible prison time. For over a year, President Biden insisted he wouldn’t pardon his son. However, on Sunday, he announced a full pardon covering offenses dating back to 2014.

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Here is a timeline of moments when the administration rejected the idea of a pardon:

July 27, 2023: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre denied the possibility of a pardon, stating firmly, “No.”
Sept. 15, 2023: After gun-related charges were filed against Hunter Biden in Delaware, Jean-Pierre reiterated that there were no plans for a pardon.
Dec. 8, 2023: Amid tax charges brought in California, Jean-Pierre confirmed the president’s position remained unchanged.

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June 6, 2024: In an interview with David Muir, Biden ruled out a pardon, saying, “Yes,” when asked directly if he had ruled it out.

June 11, 2024: Following Hunter Biden’s conviction, Biden released a statement emphasizing his respect for the judicial process and his intention to accept the jury’s decision.
June 12, 2024: Jean-Pierre did not rule out a commutation but pointed to Biden’s earlier comments about accepting the trial’s outcome.
June 13, 2024: During a press conference, Biden expressed pride in his son’s recovery from addiction and confirmed he would not issue a pardon.
July 26, 2024: Jean-Pierre repeatedly insisted, “It’s still a no,” regarding a potential pardon.
Sept. 5, 2024: After Hunter Biden changed his plea to guilty in a federal tax case, Jean-Pierre maintained that the president’s stance on a pardon was unchanged.
Nov. 7, 2024: Following the presidential election, Jean-Pierre again stated there were no plans to pardon Hunter Biden.