MSNBC host and former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki claimed earlier in June that President Biden would not pardon his son because he believed in the American justice system.
“His decision not to pardon his son is in no way an expression of restraint or removal from what his son has gone through and continues to go through, but out of principle,” Psaki said on June 16, the same week his son was killed . convicted on federal weapons charges and his father reiterated that he would not pardon him.
On Sunday, however, Biden announced he would essentially pardon his son just weeks before he is set to leave office in January, a complete reversal of his earlier pledge.
BIDEN GIVEN SON HUNTERS BIDEN BEFORE EXIT FROM OVAL OFFICE
MSNBC host and former Biden White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki during her show on June 16, 2024. (MSNBC)
“Because the justice system that convicted his only surviving son is the same justice system he promised to protect,” Psaki continued in the June segment. “If that doesn’t tell you who Joe Biden is, I don’t know what will.”
“Joe Biden’s character as a public servant has pushed him to make it clear that the law applies to everyone,” Psaki said of Biden.
President Biden had stated several times that he would not pardon Hunter and that he would respect the outcome of the legal proceedings regarding his son.
“I am extremely proud of my son Hunter,” Biden said in a speech shared during Psaki’s show. ‘He is one of the smartest and most decent men I know. I adhere to the jury’s decision. I will do that, and I will not pardon him.”
Hunter Biden was convicted in two separate federal cases earlier this year.
Lawmakers Harshly Criticize Biden’s Decision to Pardon HUNTER: ‘LIAR’
Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to federal tax charges in September, sparing him from public trial for failing to pay taxes while spending lavishly on drugs, escorts, luxury hotel stays, clothing and other personal items. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Psaki argued in June that Biden’s strength of character is evident in the way he treats his family members.
“I mean, Joe Biden is someone who answers his phone every time one of his grandchildren calls,” Psaki said. “Always, no matter what’s going on.”
Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to federal tax charges in September, sparing him from public trial for failing to pay taxes while spending lavishly on drugs, escorts, luxury hotel stays, clothing and other personal items.
The first son was convicted three firearms crimes in June after he lied on a mandatory gun purchase form by saying he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.
Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, arrives at the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware, on June 6, 2024. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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Since the pardon news broke, President Biden’s supporters in the liberal media have alternately criticized his broken promise and defended him for failing to subject his son to the wrath of the new Trump administration’s Justice Department.
Greg Wehner and Alex Nitzberg of Fox News contributed to this report.
