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Trump suggests freeing Jan 6 rioters and slams ‘miscarriage of Justice’ after Biden pardons son Hunter: Live
Biden’s announcement came after Trump unveiled more administration picks, nominating Tiffany’s father-in-law Massad Boulos as senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs and Charles Kushner as ambassador to France
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On Sunday, Biden announced he had pardoned his son following his federal gun conviction, saying Hunter had been “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” by the Justice Department.
Biden previously insisted he would not pardon his son.
Trump blasted his rival on Truth Social: “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!”
Biden’s decision has divided critics. Colorado’s Democratic Governor Jared Polis said he was “disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country” while Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks said Hunter “would not ever be prosecuted for the gun crime but for his last name.”
In other news, Trump looks set to fire the head of the FBI after tipping MAGA loyalist Kash Patel for the role. He also nominated people in his family’s orbit to join his administration including Tiffany’s father-in-law Massad Boulos as senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs and Charles Kushner as ambassador to France.
Former Florida official has lengthy record of high-profile prosecutions, as well multiple moments of ethical scrutiny
Oliver O'Connell2 December 2024 15:00
COMMENT: Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter is a gift to the Trump administration
Sean O’Grady writes:
An abuse and miscarriage of Justice!”. It’s quite something to make Donald Trump sound righteous and statesmanlike, but he’s right, for a change. In the dying days of his administration, poor old Joe Biden has somehow managed to make Trump look good.
Granting his son an unconditional presidential pardon for the last decade has done incalculable damage to Biden’s legacy, to the office of the presidency – and the country itself, writes Sean O’Grady
Oliver O'Connell2 December 2024 14:30
What does Hunter Biden’s pardon cover?
With less than 50 days left in the White House, President Joe Biden has taken a controversial step he had previously vowed he wouldn’t take: pardoning his son Hunter Biden.
On Sunday night, Biden announced he had granted his son clemency for “offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024.”
Presidents can grant clemency, including both pardons (forgiving federal criminal offenses) and commutations (reducing penalties) for federal convictions. Presidents cannot pardon those convicted of state crimes.
In June, Hunter, 54, was convicted of three federal gun charges related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018. Three months later, he pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges in September.
President pardoned his son just weeks before his sentencings in two criminal cases
Rachel Sharp2 December 2024 14:00
Trump slams Hunter Biden’s presidential pardon as an ‘an abuse and miscarriage of Justice’
Donald Trump was quick to react to news of Hunter Biden’s presidential pardon on Sunday night, blasting the decision as “an abuse and miscarriage of Justice.”
In a short post to his social media platform less than an hour after the official announcement, the president mused over pardons for those convicted in the violent insurrection on January 6 2021.
In a short post to his social media platform less than an hour after the official announcement, the president mused over pardons for those convicted in the violent insurrection on January 6 2021
Mike Bedigan2 December 2024 13:40
Hunter Biden’s federal gun charges explained
On June 1, Hunter was convicted of all three felony counts in Wilmington, Delaware in his federal gun trial.
The president’s son was found guilty of lying on a mandatory gun purchase form on October 12, 2018, when he bought a 38 Colt Special revolver at a store in Wilmington.
On the form, he stated that he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs, when he was actually in the grips of addiction at the time.
Hunter had the gun for 11 days before it was dumped in a trash can outside a grocery store by Hallie Biden, the widow of his brother Beau Biden, on October 23, 2018.
His conviction marked the first time a sitting president’s child was found guilty of a crime.
At the time, Biden said: “I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal.”
Hunter was facing up to 25 years in prison and fines of up to $750,000 at his sentencing on December 12.
But now, Hunter won’t be sentenced and will avoid any potential jail time.
Rachel Sharp2 December 2024 13:25
Full story ICYMI: President Biden issues pardon for son Hunter Biden despite pledging not to do so
Joe Biden has issued a controversial pardon for his son Hunter following his conviction on federal gun charges, despite previously claiming he would not do so.
The president officially announced the decision on Sunday night, saying that his son had been “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” by the Justice Department. In a lengthy statement, he said he hoped the American people would understand his decision as a father.
Outgoing president announced decision on Sunday night, saying that his son had been ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted’ by the Justice Department
Mike Bedigan2 December 2024 13:00
Trump blasts Hunter Biden pardon as ‘an abuse and miscarriage of Justice’
Donald Trump blasted Hunter Biden’s presidential pardon, issued by his father on Sunday as “an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!”
Posting in typical fashion to his social media platform, the President-elect 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!”
(@realDonaldTrump)
Mike Bedigan2 December 2024 12:40
Fox News host bungles announcement about Hunter Biden pardon
Fox News host Charlie Hurt bungled the network’s announcement about President Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter Biden.
On Sunday night, Hurt announced live on air the breaking news about Biden’s decision.
But, he slipped up, incorrectly saying that it was Donald Trump, not Biden, granting the pardon.
“NBC News is reporting that President Trump has decided he will pardon his son Hunter,” he said.
“This comes ahead of… what did I say?” he then asked, realizing his mistake.
Oliver O'Connell2 December 2024 12:20
Jill Biden to unveil White House holiday decor and deliver holiday message
First Lady Jill Biden will unveil her White House holiday theme and decor and deliver her holiday message to the American people today.
This will mark Dr Biden’s final time taking part in the holiday tradition as she and President Joe Biden will leave the White House in January.
Last year, the theme was the “magic, wonder and joy” of the season and was inspired by the excitement that children experience during the festive season.
However, it garnered a mixed reaction with some social media users trashing her Christmas video as “tacky” and likening it to Melania Trump’s.
Dr Biden previously said she wanted everyone who visits the White House during the holidays to feel like a kid again
Rachel Sharp2 December 2024 12:00
Trump faces deadline to argue why hush money conviction should be tossed
Donald Trump’s attorneys are facing a deadline today to file court papers arguing why they believe his criminal hush money conviction in New York City should be tossed following his election victory.
Trump’s attorneys have argued that the conviction and sentencing of the president-elect will disrupt the “orderly transition of executive power” and be “uniquely destabilizing” to the country.
The judge delayed Trump’s sentencing indefinitely and gave Trump’s legal team a deadline of December 2 to file their arguments.
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