Hunter Biden has stated that the presidential pardon he received from his father, US President Joe Biden, was 'not good' for America or his father's legacy. In an interview with the BBC's Newsnight, he acknowledged the controversy surrounding the pardon but expressed gratitude, suggesting his father acted out of concern that he would be targeted under a potential Donald Trump administration.
Biden insisted that he and his father had never discussed the possibility of a pardon before it was granted, stating that such discussions would have become public. President Biden issued a full and unconditional pardon in December 2024, covering his son's federal gun conviction and tax case, despite prior statements that he would not intervene in his son's legal matters. The White House had announced the pardon, stating his son had been 'selectively and unfairly prosecuted'.
During the interview, Hunter Biden became emotional when discussing his father's health, describing his cancer as 'very painful' and 'very debilitating'. He also reflected on President Biden's performance in the June 2024 presidential debate, which preceded the end of his re-election campaign, stating he was 'shocked' and knew 'something was wrong'.
Addressing rumors about his own political aspirations, Biden firmly ruled out any interest in elected office, stating his desire to focus on advocating for addiction and recovery. He expressed pride in his father's resilience, calling him 'the toughest man I know'.