President Joe Biden’s pardon of his criminal son, Hunter, is an “outrageous abuse of the rule of law” that has undermined trust in the justice system, according to Republican lawmakers, who accused the 82-year-old president of weaponizing law enforcement, decried the “two tiers of justice in Biden’s America,” and labeled his administration the “most lawless in history.”
In an unprecedented move, the president issued a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, for crimes spanning the last decade, sparking fierce criticism from Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators.
This after Biden promised “I will not pardon him” in June after a jury found him guilty on three federal gun charges.
After months of claiming he would not do so, President Biden pardons his son Hunter. @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/uZ1dBCmj3t
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) December 2, 2024
In response, Hunter issued a statement Sunday, saying his “mistakes,” which were done “during the darkest days of my addiction,” were “exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport.”
Hunter Biden statement: "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.” pic.twitter.com/IIoFykkb0v
— Matt Viser (@mviser) December 2, 2024
GOP leaders characterized the pardon as a blatant abuse of power, undermining the rule of law, and a desperate attempt to shield the Biden family from further investigation.
Drawing parallels to the double standard in the Biden administration’s approach to justice, President-elect Donald Trump questioned the scope of the move.
“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!” he wrote.
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!
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 2, 2024
Donald Trump Truth Social 09:11 PM EST 12/01/24 @realDonaldTrump
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) condemned the pardon, calling the ordeal “an affront to the rule of law,” pointing to past controversies, including a “sweetheart” plea deal for Hunter that was thwarted only after judicial scrutiny.
3. Democrats can spare us the lectures about the rule of law when, say, President Trump nominates Pam Bondi and Kash Patel to clean up this corruption.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) December 2, 2024
Calling it an “outrageous abuse of the rule of law – all to protect the Biden family business of selling access & influence,” Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) contrasted Hunter’s treatment with the current administration’s aggressive actions against political opponents, such as parents, pro-life activists, and President Donald Trump.
“Never forget: while Hunter was selling access to ‘the big guy,’ Joe Biden’s administration sent SWAT teams to the homes of prolifers; recruited spies in Catholic parishes; treated parents as domestic terrorists; and prosecuted Trump,” he stated, describing it as the “most lawless administration in history.”
Never forget: while Hunter was selling access to “the big guy,” Joe Biden’s administration sent SWAT teams to the homes of prolifers; recruited spies in Catholic parishes; treated parents as domestic terrorists; and prosecuted Trump. The most lawless administration in history
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) December 2, 2024
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, linked the pardon to the GOP’s ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
“Democrats said there was nothing to our impeachment inquiry,” he wrote. “If that’s the case, why did Joe Biden just issue Hunter Biden a pardon for the very things we were inquiring about?”
Democrats said there was nothing to our impeachment inquiry.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) December 2, 2024
If that’s the case, why did Joe Biden just issue Hunter Biden a pardon for the very things we were inquiring about?
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) lambasted the move as evidence of a “two-tier justice system,” arguing that Hunter Biden has benefitted from privileges denied to Trump and his family:
Hunter Biden broke gun laws, he broke the FARA Act, and worst of all, he broke the Mann Act by sex trafficking women across the country. This pardon is Joe Biden’s admission that Hunter is a criminal. Biden tried to throw President Trump’s sons in jail, but he lets his son off free even though he’s a convict. His FBI and DOJ raided Barron’s bedroom and Melania’s closet at Mar-a-Lago.
“Joe Biden is a liar and a hypocrite, all the way to the end,” she added.
Hunter Biden broke gun laws, he broke the FARA Act, and worst of all, he broke the Mann Act by sex trafficking women across the country.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 2, 2024
This pardon is Joe Biden’s admission that Hunter is a criminal.
Biden tried to throw President Trump’s sons in jail, but he lets his son off… pic.twitter.com/QoV3lqfMFe
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) suggested that Hunter Biden is only “receiving a pardon because his last name is ‘Biden.’”
“There are two tiers of justice in Biden’s America,” she declared.
Hunter is receiving a pardon because his last name is “Biden.”
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) December 2, 2024
There are two tiers of justice in Biden’s America.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) expressed personal shock, stating, “Biden said many many times he wouldn’t [pardon Hunter] & I believed him.”
“Shame on me,” he added.
I’m shocked Pres Biden pardoned his son Hunter bc he said many many times he wouldn’t & I believed him Shame on me
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) December 2, 2024
The pardon, which spans crimes dating back to 2014, highlights severe allegations against Hunter Biden, including tax evasion and firearm violations, and other potential crimes, while raising grave concerns about President Biden’s honesty and the Justice Department’s perceived weaponization and political bias.
Joshua Klein is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at