Hunter Biden’s confident demeanor in unearthed video raises questions about dad’s pardon plans
An unearthed video of Hunter Biden smiling and showing a confident demeanor while being pressed about a possible pardon has raised questions about when his dad made the decision that he would pardon his son. President Biden had consistently stated throughout the year that he would not pardon his son and would not interfere with the criminal justice process. Despite this stance, Hunter Biden appeared unfazed, even facing the prospect of a maximum sentence of 17 years in federal prison.
The 30-second video, obtained by Fox News Digital, captures Hunter Biden leaving a restaurant in Malibu, California, on July 31, 2024. In the video, he is seen smiling wryly and walking away after being asked if he was “expecting a pardon.” This incident occurred just after he was convicted of three felony charges related to the illegal purchase of a firearm and shortly before he pleaded guilty to tax evasion. Hunter was accompanied by his longtime friend and defender, Academy Award-winning actor and director Sean Penn.
The video shows a man asking Hunter how he is holding up, to which he responds, “Great, man.” When asked about a possible pardon, Hunter remains silent but flashes a smile as a woman who appears to be a Secret Service agent steps in between them. Despite further probing by the man, Hunter Biden continues to smile silently as he enters a black vehicle.
Following his conviction for lying on a federal screening form and to a gun dealer about his drug addiction, as well as tax evasion charges, Hunter Biden faced mounting legal troubles. Despite President Biden’s previous statements ruling out a pardon for his son, he surprised many by granting Hunter a full and unconditional pardon on Sunday night. This pardon covered offenses committed between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 1, 2024.
President Biden justified his decision by claiming that Hunter had been “singled out” and that political opponents had instigated the charges against him. He argued that “raw politics” had tainted the legal process and led to a “miscarriage of justice.” The president further stated that his son had been treated unfairly and deserved a pardon.
Hunter Biden’s sentencing, which was scheduled for Dec. 16, now hangs in the balance following the unexpected presidential pardon. The video of Hunter’s confident demeanor in the face of questions about a pardon has only added to the intrigue surrounding this high-profile case. As the saga continues to unfold, the public waits to see what the future holds for the president’s son.
