The White House press secretary fielded questions on Friday about whether President Joe Biden would pardon his son, Hunter Biden, in the wake of new charges.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre fielded questions from reporters on Friday about whether President Joe Biden would pardon his son, Hunter Biden, after he was slapped with nine new tax charges.
On Thursday, a California grand jury returned a nine-count indictment against Hunter Biden, charging him with three felony tax offenses and six misdemeanor tax offenses. The indictment alleges that the president’s son spent millions on a lavish lifestyle and drugs instead of fulfilling roughly $1.4 million in tax obligations.
If convicted on all counts, Hunter Biden could face a maximum penalty of 17 years in prison.
His attorney has called the charges politically motivated and, on Friday, the White House press secretary was asked by reporters to comment on the latest charges—and to reveal whether a presidential pardon is in the works.
‘Proud of His Son’
President Biden loves and supports his son as he faces a fresh round of criminal charges, according to the press secretary.
“The president has said this before, and he will continue to say, which is that he loves his son and supports him as he continues to rebuild his life,” Ms. Jean-Pierre told reporters while on board Air Force One. “He’s proud of his son.”
A reporter then asked whether a presidential pardon was in the works for Hunter Biden.
“You’ve said before that the president would not pardon his son. Is that still the case?” the reporter asked.
“Nothing has changed. That is still the case,” Ms. Jean-Pierre replied
While leaving the White House on Friday, President Biden was asked by reporters whether he had spoken to his son after the new charges were revealed and whether he had any comment. The president ignored reporters’ questions and walked away.
Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden’s attorney, said that the latest charges—as well as the prior ones—were driven by political rather than substantive factors.
By Tom Ozimek
