Biden will not pardon indicted Hunter, who faces up to 17-year sentence: White House
December 08, 2023 02:47 PM
President Joe Biden will not pardon his son Hunter, the White House said Friday.
The younger Biden faces up to 17 years in prison following his second indictment in four months, with the new charges related to unfiled and unpaid taxes. Joe Biden has said in the past that he will not pardon Hunter Biden, a stance that apparently still holds.
HUNTER BIDEN INDICTED ON CRIMINAL TAX CHARGES IN CALIFORNIA
“Nothing has changed,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One. “That is still the case.”
Special counsel David Weiss handed down the nine-count indictment Thursday evening, leading to renewed questions about the fate of Hunter Biden and just how tied in Joe Biden was with his son’s doings.
The White House has been tight-lipped since the indictment came down. Joe Biden did not take questions from reporters before boarding Air Force One, and a spokesperson referred questions about the indictment from the Washington Examiner to the Department of Justice.
“The president has said this before and he will continue to say that he loves his son and supports him as he continues to rebuild his life,” Jean-Pierre said when asked by traveling reporters for a reaction to the news. “I am going to be really careful and not comment on this and refer you to the Department of Justice or my colleagues at the White House counsel.”
The Justice Department and White House counsel have also not commented on the new indictment.
Another reporter asked what emotional toll the indictment could have on Joe Biden.
“I’m just not going to comment beyond what I just shared,” Jean-Pierre said.
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The charges comprise three felonies and six misdemeanors, including failing to pay taxes, failing to file taxes, and filing false returns from 2016 to 2019.
While the charges could carry a maximum penalty of up to 17 years in prison, any sentence Hunter Biden receives is likely to end up being much lower than that based on typical sentencing practices.