White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had repeatedly emphasized that President Joe Biden would not intervene in legal proceedings involving his son, Hunter Biden, with her words coming back to haunt her on Sunday night.
As recently as November 8, days after Donald Trump’s election victory, Jean-Pierre categorically ruled out a pardon or clemency for the younger Biden, saying, ‘We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is “no”.’
Social media users were quick to mock Jean-Pierre’s hollow words. ‘Well, we’re all thinking it.. this didn’t age well,’ wrote one, encapsulating the feeling of many GOP supporters.
Hunter Biden was convicted in June of lying on a federal form when he purchased a gun in 2018 and swore that he wasn’t a drug user.
Just months later, he pleaded guilty to charges accusing him of a scheme to avoid paying at least $1.4 million in taxes.
Prosecutors alleged he lived lavishly while flouting the tax law, spending his cash on things like strippers and luxury hotels – ‘in short, everything but his taxes.’
Over the last year-and-a-half, Jean-Pierre had firmly dismissed any speculation surrounding the possibility of a presidential pardon, maintaining the administration’s stance on judicial independence and the rule of law.
Biden had also long pledged that he would not pardon his son who was set to be sentenced later this month, but on Sunday, the president did it anyway.
In July 2023, Jean-Pierre was asked if there might be any possibility that Biden would pardon his son as he faced two counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax.
‘No,’ Jean-Pierre replied bluntly. When a Fox News journalist attempted a followup, she cut him off.
‘I just said no,’ she said before moving on to another reporter.
Months later in September 2023 Hunter was indicted on federal charges for making false statements and unlawfully possessing a firearm.
The question came up once again in the White House briefing room.
‘So I’ve answered this question before. It was asked of me not too long ago — a couple of weeks ago — and I was very clear, and I said no,’ Jean-Pierre responded, growing impatient.
By December Hunter had racked up nine criminal charges in the federal tax evasion case.
This time, Jean-Pierre was even more detailed in her response to reporters asking whether a pardon may be in the offering.
‘Nothing has changed. That is still the case,’ Jean-Pierre said.
‘I mean, 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. And I’m going to be really careful to not comment on this and refer to Department of Justice or my colleagues at the White House counsel.
‘But that’s what I’m going to – I’m not going to go beyond telling you all what the president has said over and over again. He’s proud of his son, and he is building his life back,’ Jean-Pierre said.
In June of this year, during another heated press briefing, Jean-Pierre was questioned directly about whether Biden would pardon his son amid the federal investigations into Hunter’s business dealings.
‘The President has been unequivocal,’ Jean-Pierre responded. ‘He believes in the independence of the Department of Justice and will not interfere in any investigations, including those involving his family.
‘I have not spoken to the President about this. And what I’m saying is he was asked about a pardon… and he answered it very clearly, very forthright… I don’t have anything beyond what the President said. He’s been very clear about this.’
The speculation only heated up as summer wore on when in August journalists once again pressed Jean-Pierre for clarity, with one asking whether the President might reconsider his position in light of potential charges and whether he would tell Vice President Kamala Harris not to pardon his son if she were elected.
‘I can speak for the president, and he said he would not pardon his son. And I’m just going to leave it there,’ Jean-Pierre said.
Last month, in November, Jean-Pierre addressed another wave of questions about a potential pardon – but her response did not waiver.
‘We’ve been asked that question multiple times and our answer stands—which is no.’
Critics of the administration suggested that Biden’s close relationship with his son might ultimately influence his decision-making but Jean-Pierre continued to counter such claims, pointing to Biden’s long-standing commitment to judicial independence throughout his political career.
Many of those posting to social media were angry at what had occurred.
‘I give you my word as a Biden: I am mentally fit. I did not discuss business with my son. I will never drop out of the 2024 race. I will not pardon my son, Hunter. This whole administration was nothing but lies and gaslighting. It was such a sham of an administration,’ wrote one.
Others suggested that Jean-Pierre should now consider resigning in the wake of the pardon.
‘She really is left with no option now but to resign. All these denials have become lies, not of her making but she is nevertheless the official mouthpiece for the White House,’ tweeted another use.
‘KJP has been a liar for the entire time she’s been the Biden spokesman,’ declared one.
‘LOL. She will hear about this. Unless she resigns first,’ chimed another.
‘They didn’t count on Kamala losing. It was her talk to pardon him. So plan B!’ noted another as they tried to piece together what had occurred.
‘I wonder how she’ll spin this??” joked one X user.
‘I mean are ya dumb? What father wouldn’t pardon his son given the chance? Idc how many times they said he wouldn’t do it comes at NO SURPRISE that a FATHER is pardoning his son,’ suggested another.
‘The Party doesn’t want him to do this. But they “screwed him”, so why wouldn’t he?’ wrote one user noting how Biden was likely forced to step aside from his re-election campaign in July.
‘Gangsta move’ summed up another tweet.
