First son Hunter Biden was spotted on camera For the first time since his father forgave him, he smiled for the cameras while picking up a fast food order in California.
Hunter Biden was sporting a T-shirt, jeans and a baseball cap while picking up food from Arby’s in Santa Barbara on Wednesday afternoon.
The photos come after Biden announced Sunday evening that he would shield his son from punishment in separate court cases accused of illegally buying a gun and failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes. Hunter Biden’s crimes were politically motivated and a “miscarriage of justice,” Biden said in his statement.
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” Biden wrote in a statement. “From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere in the decision-making of the Department of Justice, and I kept my word even as I watched my son be prosecuted, selectively and unfairly.”
2 Times Biden Said He Won’t Forgive Son Hunter Biden
Hunter Biden flashes a big smile as he leaves Arbis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Santa Barbara. This is the first time President Joe Biden’s son has been photographed since his father pardoned him. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
He said: “It’s clear that Hunter was treated differently. The charges in his cases came only after several of my political opponents in Congress were motivated to attack me and oppose my election. Then, a carefully negotiated plea agreement, agreed to by the Justice Department, was unfurled in a courtroom — by several of my political opponents in Congress. He takes credit for bringing political pressure on the process to ensure a fair, reasonable resolution of poacher’s cases,” he continued.
Biden apologizes to son Hunter Biden before leaving the Oval Office
Hunter Biden flashes a big smile as he leaves an Arby’s in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. This is the first time President Joe Biden’s son has been photographed since his father pardoned him. (Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
“I believe in the justice system, but as I’ve wrestled with it, I believe crude politics has infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice — and once I’ve made this decision this weekend, there’s no point in delaying it. Why would a father and a president come to this decision? I hope Americans understand.
Forgiveness stands A stark contrast to the president Before and after Hunter was found guilty at the June Gunn trial, he vowed he would never forgive his son.
Who else can forgive the hunter after he escaped punishment?
“I’m not going to do anything,” Biden said after Hunter was convicted in the gun case. “I obey Jury decision.”
Hunter Biden flashes a big smile as he leaves an Arby’s in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. This is the first time President Joe Biden’s son has been photographed since his father pardoned him. (Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
Hunter Biden was found guilty on June 11 of lying about drug use while buying a gun in 2018. He was found guilty on three counts – making a false statement in the purchase of a gun, false statement regarding information to be kept by a federally licensed gun dealer and possession of a firearm by an unlawful user or person addicted to a controlled substance.
Hunter Biden has had an extensive and well-documented history with addiction, best captured in his 2021 memoir “Beautiful Things,” which walked readers through the spirals of his crack cocaine use.
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Hunter Biden faced another trial in September in a California court on three felony tax offenses and six misdemeanor tax offenses for failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. As jury selection begins Los Angeles Federal CourtHunter entered a surprise guilty plea.
