The White House on Thursday confirmed that there are still no last-minute plans to pardon first son Hunter Biden before former President Donald Trump takes over in January.
Biden was convicted on three federal charges earlier this year, related to purchasing a gun while being addicted to crack cocaine. One charge was about lying on a federal form in order to purchase the gun. He also pleaded guilty to multiple tax charges.
The White House has rejected speculation multiple times about whether President Joe Biden would pardon his son, and press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday said the answer remained the same, according to The Hill.
When asked whether Joe Biden would commute Hunter Biden's sentences, Jean-Pierre said "that’s not what we’re going to do.”
Trump indicated last month that he has not ruled out a pardon for the first son, stating that he would not take the possibility "off the books." Some Republicans have even urged him to consider commuting Hunter Biden's sentence.
"From my standpoint I think we should be looking at … some measure of mercy there," Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson said in reference to Hunter Biden. "I wouldn't really want to pardon because I don't want to excuse the behavior … some commutation of sense or whatever. Again, I don't want to get ahead of myself because he hasn't been sentenced yet."
Hunter Biden is scheduled to be sentenced in the gun trial on Dec. 4. He faces up to 25 years in prison, and a fine of up to $750,000, according to court filings. But first time offenders rarely get the maximum sentences.
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