White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has claimed that Democrat President Joe Biden will not pardon or commute his son Hunter if he’s convicted of crimes.
The comment comes after Special Counsel David Weiss filed federal charges against Hunter Biden this week.
The charges stem from a firearm-related incident in 2018.
The indictment charges the first son with three crimes related to false statements made on a federal application to purchase a firearm.
The charges relate to a time when, in October 2018, Hunter claimed he was clean of drugs to purchase a handgun.
He later wrote in his memoir that he was addicted to crack cocaine at the time.
“Would the president pardon or commute his son if he’s convicted?” a reporter asked.
“So, I’ve answered this question before, it was asked of me not too long ago, a couple of weeks ago,” Jean-Pierre responded, expressing clear resentment for the question.
“And I was very clear, and I said, ‘no.’”
WATCH:
KJP says Biden won’t pardon his son. Maybe he won’t have to. pic.twitter.com/4PCwK2YgBv
— NewsBusters (@newsbusters) September 15, 2023
Two of the counts carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, according to NBC News.
The third charge carries a max sentence of five years.
The stiff sentences are a sharp contrast to the agreement worked out under the sweetheart plea deal that was blown up in federal court by a judge.
The cushy plea agreement would have excused Hunter from jail time and instead put him in a diversion program.
If he completed the program successfully, it would have wiped the gun charges from his record.
The plea deal also quietly included a clause that would have given Hunter Biden blanket immunity from future charges.
The indictment says:
Hunter, “knowing that he was an unlawful user of and addicted to any stimulant, narcotic drug, and any other controlled substance … did knowingly possess a firearm, that is, a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver.”
Weiss signaled earlier this month that he was looking at charges against Hunter related to lying on a federal firearm registration form and owning a gun illegally.
In a notice to Judge Maryellen Noreika in Delaware, the special counsel wrote that he was considering charging the Biden heir with gun charges.
However, Weiss did not mention other charges related to Hunter’s overseas business dealings or taxes that are the subject of an ongoing corruption investigation by House Republicans.
Hunter’s failed plea deal struck with Weiss included two misdemeanor tax charges as well.
