According to legal experts, Hunter Biden is unlikely to meet the exacting standards set forth by the Department of Justice for pardon recommendations, despite his father, President Joe Biden, having the authority to grant pardons.
Eligibility Criteria:
The Justice Department’s pardon guidelines prioritize certain criteria, including:
- Exceptional mitigating circumstances: Hunter Biden’s legal issues do not appear to rise to this level of severity.
- Exceptional remorse: There is no indication that Hunter Biden has openly expressed remorse for his alleged actions.
- Cooperation with law enforcement: While Hunter Biden’s attorney has reportedly been in contact with prosecutors, the extent of his cooperation is uncertain.
- Public interest or national security: Hunter Biden’s pardon would not serve any significant public interest or national security purpose.
Legal Experts Weigh In:
“The Justice Department has a well-defined set of criteria for pardon recommendations, and based on what we know about Hunter Biden’s case, he is unlikely to meet those requirements,” said former federal prosecutor Robert Raben.
“A pardon is not a get-out-of-jail-free card,” added legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin. “It’s an extraordinary action that is only granted in rare circumstances, and Hunter Biden’s case does not appear to meet that threshold.”
Political Considerations:
Despite the legal hurdles, some have speculated that President Biden may grant a pardon to his son out of political expediency. However, such a move would likely face significant backlash and could damage the President’s credibility.
“Granting a pardon to Hunter Biden would be a highly controversial decision and would open President Biden up to accusations of nepotism and abuse of power,” said political scientist Kathleen Hall Jamieson.
Recent Precedents:
In recent years, Presidents have been cautious about granting pardons to family members or close associates. For example, President George H.W. Bush declined to pardon his son Neil Bush after he was convicted of drug possession.
Conclusion:
Based on the available information, it is unlikely that Hunter Biden would qualify for a pardon recommendation under the Justice Department’s criteria. While President Biden has the authority to grant pardons, such a move would likely face legal and political challenges.
The Justice Department’s guidelines prioritize mitigating circumstances, remorse, cooperation, and public interest. Given Hunter Biden’s alleged actions and the lack of evidence of significant mitigating factors, it is highly improbable that he would meet the requirements for a pardon recommendation.
