4 of the most controversial presidential pardons in US history

By CP StaffWednesday, December 04, 2024

A Nov. 29, 2024, photo shows U.S. President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, stepping out of a bookstore while shopping in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on Nov. 29, 2024. Biden on Sunday issued an official pardon for his son Hunter, who is facing sentencing for two criminal cases related to tax evasion and the purchase of a firearm. | MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

President Joe Biden issued a pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, claiming that he was unfairly prosecuted for political reasons. He issued the pardon on Sunday despite repeated claims by him and his White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre that he would never do so.

In a statement released Sunday, the president argued that his son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” due to his connection to the Democratic commander-in-chief.

While Biden’s move drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, it’s only the latest in a long, bipartisan line of controversial presidential pardons. Here's a list of four other controversial presidential pardons.

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