Biden Was ‘Truthful’ About Pardoning His Son, Says Karine Jean-Pierre

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced tough questions on Monday over President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, a move that has sparked national outrage. During a press gaggle, Jean-Pierre insisted that the president had been “truthful” with the American public about the highly controversial pardon, which covers all crimes Hunter was convicted of or may have committed over an 11-year period.

Jean-Pierre claimed, “One of the things that the president always believes is to be truthful to the American people. That is something that he always truly believes.” This assertion comes in stark contrast to Biden’s repeated public statements where he declared he would not pardon his son.

In a statement, President Biden defended the pardon as an emotional and moral decision, stating.

“I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice... I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision.”

The president’s comments have raised eyebrows, particularly given reports from NBC News indicating that Biden had been privately contemplating this pardon since Hunter’s conviction on federal gun charges in June. This conflicts with Jean-Pierre’s claim that Biden arrived at the decision only recently.

When pressed about Biden’s accusation that the Justice Department (DOJ) had been “infected” with politics, Jean-Pierre reiterated that the president stands by the DOJ. However, she deflected when reporters asked how deep the alleged political corruption within the department runs or whether selective prosecutions have become a broader issue.

“What I can speak to is this particular case, which is Hunter Biden,” Jean-Pierre stated, emphasizing the president’s belief that his son was targeted by political opponents.

Critics argue that Biden’s actions undermine public trust, highlighting the contradiction between his public denials of a pardon and the secret discussions reportedly underway for months.

• Repeated Contradictions: Biden’s past assurances that he would not pardon his son now appear disingenuous, leading many to question the president’s credibility.

• Unprecedented Scope: The pardon’s sweeping nature, covering potential crimes over an 11-year span, sets a troubling precedent and raises legal and ethical concerns.

• DOJ Integrity: Biden’s remarks about a politically infected DOJ have fueled bipartisan skepticism, with critics questioning whether his claims reflect genuine concern or serve as a political shield.

The pardon has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle. Republicans have called the move a blatant abuse of power, while even some Democrats worry about the precedent it sets. The perception that Hunter Biden received preferential treatment further erodes confidence in an already embattled administration.

Jean-Pierre’s attempts to frame the pardon as consistent with Biden’s values do little to address these deeper concerns. As the fallout continues, the controversy surrounding the president’s decision is likely to intensify, particularly as new details emerge about the administration’s handling of the case.

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