Trump fumes over ‘miscarriage of justice’ after Biden pardons son Hunter in surprise U-turn
Donald Trump has branded US President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son as a “miscarriage of justice.”
Biden announced the pardon in an official White House statement, despite his previous conviction that he would accept the outcome of his son Hunter’s trial.
In the statement, he said Hunter had been treated differently for being his son, saying he was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” by the Justice Department.
The pardon comes right before Hunter was due to be sentenced on December 12 for his conviction on federal gun charges and on December 16 for federal tax evasion charges.
In response to his father’s move, Hunter Biden released a statement where he took responsibility for his actions and said he would not take the pardon for granted.
He said: “I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”
President-elect Trump quickly hit out at President Biden on social media after hearing the news,
He wrote: “Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!”
Trump has previously said he would help those arrested in connection with the January 6 riots once he takes office.
More than 1,500 people have been charged in connection to the attacks, with Trump calling the rioters “unbelievable patriots.”
The president-elect launched his election campaign in March, using January 6 as a key factor in his bid to return to office.
In March he posted on social media, saying he was inclined to pardon many of the rioters.
“I am inclined to pardon many of them,” he wrote. “I can’t say for every single one, because a couple of them, probably they got out of control.”
As president, Trump will be able to pardon anyone convicted in federal court, District of Columbia Superior Court or in a military court-martial.
He could also stop the continued prosecution of rioters by telling his attorney general to stand down.