In the run-up to the 2024 Presidential election, President Joe Biden vowed not to use his presidential authority to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. He has doubled down multiple times through states and his press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, but now he has backtracked and pardoned his son, who was convicted of lying on an ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) Form 4473 and was accused of tax evasion.
Hunter Biden was arrested and successfully prosecuted for lying on an ATF Form 4473 that he filled out when he purchased a revolver from a Delaware gun shop. The firearm was recovered from a dumpster after his lover and dead brother’s wife disposed of it. When Hunter purchased the handgun, he was an addicted user of crack cocaine. Hunter would mark that he was not an unlawful user of drugs on the form.
After being charged, the younger Biden was offered a sweetheart deal not in line with those provided to others accused of lying on the government form. The judge rejected that deal, sending the case to a jury trial. He would be convicted on all charges and was waiting for sentencing. Even after the felony conviction, his father would maintain that there was no chance that he would pardon his son.
Hunter Biden was also facing charges of tax evasion. He allegedly hid large sums of money from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Hunter has always blamed his tax issues on his addictions. There have also been accusations of Hunter selling access to his father when Joe Biden was Vice President. Critics claim that the President’s son made millions from the scheme, leading some on the Republican side of the aisle to refer to the family as the “Biden Crime Family.”
Late Sunday night, President Joe Biden would break his promise not to use his presidential power to pardon his son. He claimed that the Democrat-run Department of Justice (DOJ) targeted his son for political reasons. He claimed his son did nothing wrong when lying on the 4473 because there wasn’t a victim. President Biden said almost no one is charged with lying on a 4473. Quick research shows that several hundred people each year are charged with lying on the ATF gun purchase form.
The President wrote: “Today, 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. 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.”
The DOJ issued a press release in January of last year stating that it is “aggressively pursuing those who lie in connection with firearms transactions.” The ATF and the DOJ are taking a hard line on those who lie when purchasing a firearm. The press release included examples of Americans charged and convicted of the same crime as Hunter Biden. Many wonder if President Biden will pardon these Americans as well.
United States Attorney Robert J. “Bob” Troester wrote: “Federal law prohibits knowingly making any false statement in connection with purchasing, or attempting to purchase, a firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) requires prospective firearm buyers to complete ATF Form 4473. This Form requires buyers to answer several questions, including those about the buyer’s competency, criminal history, drug use, immigration status, and history with domestic violence. Applicants who knowingly make false statements may also face criminal prosecution for a felony and up to 10 years in federal prison.”
What a LIE. 96.9% of Americans charged with the same statute as Hunter get jail time with an average sentence of 60 months! https://t.co/c2IKyElWEB pic.twitter.com/7d4DzKC7dO
— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) December 2, 2024
The ATF even had an operation that included going after people lying on a 4473. “Project Safe Neighborhoods” was a nationwide effort to catch and prosecute those lying on a 4473. The ATF and the DOJ disagree with the President’s accusation that lying on a 4473 isn’t a big deal. According to both agencies, the crimes are serious, and the government should be pursuing the violators with all available resources.
“Keeping guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them is of paramount concern,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “We will use the tools available to us to pursue those who use a straw purchaser or lie when trying to buy a gun. We will continue to work closely with ATF and our law enforcement partners to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands by holding accountable those who lie to get them.”
President Biden also insists that his son’s alleged tax evasion should be forgiven because of his addiction to crack cocaine at the time the crime was committed. Many will point out that the U.S. prison system is full of people who commit crimes because of their addictions. This contradiction causes many to think that President Biden is acting hypocritical by pardoning his son, not just for going back on his promise but for his push to prosecute aggressively those citizens who commit similar crimes. Others claim this is an example of a two-tiered justice system where the rich and powerful can commit crimes with impunity, even though Biden has stated many times in the past that “no one is above the law.”
Hunter Biden issued a statement on the pardon after it was made public by the White House. He blamed politics for his convictions. Hunter said he would dedicate his life to helping people who are “sick and suffering.” He thanked his family for supporting him through his trials.
Hunter Biden’s Statement: “I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction — mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport. Despite all of this, I have maintained my sobriety for more than five years because of my deep faith and the unwavering love and support of my family and friends. In the throes of addiction, I squandered many opportunities and advantages. In recovery we can be given the opportunity to make amends where possible and rebuild our lives if we never take for granted the mercy that we have been afforded. 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.”
Hunter Biden’s legal team has filed motions with the courts in both cases to have them dismissed because of the pardon.
About John Crump
Mr. Crump is an NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people from all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons, follow him on X at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
