CNN host Jake Tapper criticized President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter, calling it an indictment of his administration.
On Monday’s show, Tapper contrasted Biden’s denials about pardoning Hunter with NBC’s report that the president had been discussing the idea with aides since June. “President Biden lying about this, of course, makes others in his administration and allies either credulous or complicit,” Tapper stated. He pointed specifically to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, highlighting her repeated denials of any pardon plans.
Tapper argued there was a political motive for the dishonesty. “In June, when Hunter Biden was found guilty on three felony gun charges, his father, the president, was still running for re-election against former President Donald Trump,” he said. “Democrats and progressives saw this as an opportunity to contrast the current and former president.”
On Sunday, President Biden granted a sweeping pardon to Hunter, despite earlier assurances he wouldn’t. Hunter had been convicted in two federal cases this year, including pleading guilty to tax charges in September and three felony gun charges in June. The gun charges stemmed from lying on a purchase form by claiming he wasn’t illegally using drugs.
In his statement, President Biden defended his decision, arguing Hunter was “singled out only because he is my son.” He accused critics of trying to “break Hunter” as a way to “break me.”
Tapper highlighted remarks by MSNBC legal analyst Andrew Weissman, who had previously praised Biden for “living the rule of law” by not pardoning Hunter. Weissman said Biden’s restraint showed true adherence to justice. Tapper responded with irony, saying, “Living the rule of law, beyond the pardon and beyond the lie about the pardon, President Biden is doing what he claimed he would not do.”
He accused Biden of undermining his Justice Department by going against his earlier commitments. Tapper quoted Biden’s grievances over Hunter’s legal treatment, which the president had publicly criticized.
Tapper also referenced special counsel David Weiss’s statement countering Biden’s narrative. Weiss asserted, “There was none and never has been any evidence of vindictive or selective prosecution in this case.”
Tapper’s sharp critique left no doubt about his view of the pardon’s political and ethical implications.