President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at granting mass pardons to individuals tied to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot while criticizing President Joe Biden for pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday night. Trump also vowed to reset the Department of Justice, which he described as “Democrat-controlled.”
“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 wrote on Truth Social.
“That system of justice must be fixed, and due process must be restored for all Americans, which is exactly what President Trump will do as he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people,” the statement read.
President Biden, 82, defended his decision to issue a sweeping pardon to his 54-year-old son, Hunter, covering offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. Hunter, who was scheduled for sentencing this month on separate federal tax and gun-related charges, is now off the hook.
“There has been an effort to break Hunter – who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me – and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough,” Biden said in a statement.
The president had previously pledged not to interfere in his son’s legal matters. During the G7 summit in June, he stated, “I said I’d abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.” His reversal has drawn widespread criticism, including from his political opponents.
Senator Chuck Grassley expressed shock at the pardon. “I’m shocked Pres Biden pardoned his son Hunter bc he said many many times he wouldn’t & I believed him. Shame on me,” the Iowa Republican wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Hunter Biden, in a statement, expressed gratitude for the mercy, acknowledging his mistakes during the darkest days of his addiction. “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,” he said.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles included pleading guilty in September to federal tax charges, which could have resulted in up to 17 years in prison. In June, he was convicted of three felonies related to a gun purchase, carrying potential penalties of up to 25 years.
Sentencing for both cases had been scheduled for December, but the pardon effectively ends these proceedings.
Biden’s decision comes months after he announced he would not seek reelection, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate. Harris ultimately lost the November election to Donald Trump, who will assume office on January 20, 2025.
Trump has vowed to address what he describes as a politicized justice system and signaled his intent to offer mercy to individuals involved in the January 6 events.
