White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced tough questions aboard Air Force One on Monday regarding President Joe Biden’s recent decision to grant pardon to his son, Hunter Biden.
This development contradicted months of assertions by the administration that no such pardon would be issued. Biden’s decision has sparked intense scrutiny, raising questions about the administration’s credibility and transparency.
A reporter pressed Jean-Pierre during the press gaggle, stating, “You have said repeatedly… that no pardon was coming. Could those statements now be seen as lies by the American people? Is there a credibility issue here given this announcement?”
BREAKING: WH Press Sec. KJP denies allegations that she and Biden said that there will be 'no pardon' for Hunter.pic.twitter.com/dsVLyNo5IU
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Jean-Pierre denied the suggestion, emphasizing Biden’s commitment to honesty. “One of the things that the president always believes is to be truthful to the American people,” she said.
She directed reporters to Biden’s official statement, which she claimed outlined his reasoning. “He wrestled with this decision because he believes in the justice system,” Jean-Pierre stated, adding that Biden felt “war politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice.”
The White House has maintained that Hunter Biden was unfairly targeted due to his last name. Jean-Pierre reiterated this position, saying, “Hunter was singled out because his last name was Biden, because he was the president’s son.” She echoed Biden’s claim that the legal actions against Hunter were driven by political opponents attempting to harm the president.
Biden’s statement also referenced Hunter’s struggles with addiction, framing his legal troubles as those of an individual battling substance abuse rather than engaging in deliberate criminal behavior.
Jean-Pierre argued that the pardon was a reflection of Biden’s belief that “enough is enough” and that the focus on Hunter was politically motivated.
Despite her defense of the president’s decision, Jean-Pierre sidestepped several critical questions. When asked whether previous denials of a potential pardon should now be considered falsehoods, she avoided providing a direct answer.
Reporters also inquired whether Biden and Hunter discussed the pardon during their Thanksgiving holiday in Nantucket—a timeframe Politico reported as when the decision was finalized.
Jean-Pierre declined to comment, stating, “The president made the decision himself,” and she would not discuss “private conversations among the family.”
WH press sec on Biden pardoning his son Hunter: "He wrestled with it! … His son was singled out." pic.twitter.com/UHBtb2KtqF
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Another reporter challenged the timing of the pardon, noting that the justifications outlined in Biden’s statement—such as Hunter’s struggles with addiction and perceived political targeting—had been consistent for years.
They asked, “What changed his mind this weekend?” Jean-Pierre reiterated that Biden had deliberated and decided to act without delay once he made up his mind, adding that the president believed “enough is enough.”
Jean-Pierre’s responses did little to quell concerns about the administration’s credibility. The sharp reversal from earlier statements has left many questioning the integrity of prior denials.
As scrutiny intensifies, the pardon remains a flashpoint for criticism, with opponents accusing Biden of abusing his power to protect his family. For now, the White House insists that the decision was made thoughtfully and in response to what Biden perceives as an injustice.