President Joe Biden said he would not pardon his son Hunter amid an ongoing felony gun trial during a wide-ranging exclusive interview with ABC News anchor David Muir at the Normandy American Cemetery on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Muir asked Biden on Thursday if he would accept the outcome of his son’s trial in Wilmington, Delaware, to which the president said, “Yes.” Biden also said “yes” when asked by Muir if he would rule out a pardon for Hunter.
Hunter Biden, the president’s only surviving son, is on trial in Delaware on three felony charges related to his efforts to obtain a firearm in 2018 while allegedly addicted to drugs. It’s a historic trial, as no son of a sitting president has faced a criminal trial before. Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty last October after being indicted by special counsel David Weiss.
For more from Muir’s interview with President Biden, watch ABC’s “World News Tonight with David Muir” at 6:30 p.m. ET.
During the interview with Muir in Normandy, France, the president also touched on opponent Donald Trump’s own historic trial, after Trump became the first former president to be convicted on felony charges. Trump, convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records, has baselessly called his guilty verdict a politically motivated witch hunt.
Biden accused Trump of seeking to undermine the rule of law.
“He’s trying to undermine it,” Biden told Muir. “He got a fair trial. The jury spoke.”
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Biden also addressed his new executive action to close the border to asylum seekers between official points of entry. It came months after Republicans in Congress killed a bipartisan border security deal at the behest of former President Trump.
“Do you wish you had done it sooner?” Muir asked Biden.
“No,” Biden said.
The president also talked with Muir about Israel’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza, of which he has grown increasingly critical. Biden has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to credibly consider the safety of civilians in the southern Gazan town of Rafah.
“I think he’s listening to me,” Biden said of Netanyahu.
In a recent interview with ABC News anchor David Muir, President Joe Biden made it clear that he would not pardon his son Hunter Biden if he were to face legal troubles. This statement comes amidst ongoing scrutiny and controversy surrounding Hunter’s business dealings and personal struggles with addiction.
During the interview, Biden stated, “No one is above the law. If there is a God, he will not be pardoned.” This firm stance on accountability and justice reflects Biden’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, even when it involves his own family members.
In addition to addressing questions about his son, Biden also shared his thoughts on the recent impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Despite being a vocal critic of Trump’s actions and policies, Biden expressed his belief that Trump received a fair trial in the Senate.
“I think the outcome was fair. I think the process was fair,” Biden stated. This statement is in stark contrast to the opinions of many Democrats who believe that Trump should have been convicted and barred from holding public office in the future.
Biden’s comments on both his son and Trump demonstrate his commitment to fairness, justice, and accountability. By refusing to entertain the idea of pardoning his son and acknowledging the fairness of Trump’s trial, Biden is sending a clear message that no one, regardless of their political affiliation or personal connections, is above the law.
As Biden continues to navigate the challenges of his presidency, it is clear that he will uphold his principles of integrity and transparency, even when faced with difficult decisions involving his own family and political adversaries.
