Karine Jean-Pierre peppered with questions about Hunter Biden in first televised press briefing since pardon

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced a barrage of questions from reporters during the first televised press briefing since President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden. The decision to pardon Hunter Biden came as a surprise to many, as the president had previously stated unequivocally that he would not pardon his son.

In response to questions about the pardon, Jean-Pierre emphasized that President Biden had wrestled with the decision and ultimately decided to grant the pardon due to changing circumstances. She pointed to recent statements from Trump appointees for law enforcement who had promised retribution, suggesting that the president’s decision was influenced by these threats.

When pressed on whether the American people were owed an apology, Jean-Pierre deflected the question and urged people to read the president’s statement. She reiterated that the president had grappled with the decision and ultimately made the choice to grant the pardon.

Despite criticism from some members of his own party, Jean-Pierre noted that a recent poll showed that 64% of the American people agreed with the pardon. She also highlighted the fact that legal experts had suggested that Hunter Biden would not be criminally prosecuted for the charges he faced.

In response to concerns about the president’s credibility and allegations of misleading the public, Jean-Pierre reiterated that the decision to pardon Hunter Biden was made after careful consideration. She emphasized that similar charges are rarely brought against individuals in similar circumstances.

As questions continued about potential backlash from Democrats and Republicans over the pardon, Jean-Pierre stated that President Biden would remain focused on serving the American people and addressing their needs. She made it clear that the president’s priority was to move forward and govern in the best interests of the country.

Overall, the press briefing highlighted the complexity of the decision to pardon Hunter Biden and the challenges faced by the administration in addressing the fallout from the controversial decision. President Biden’s decision was met with both support and criticism, reflecting the divisive nature of the issue.