On Sunday night, CNN’s Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny admitted that the reasoning behind the move, which has ignited debate across political lines, was a personal decision. Joe Biden’s decision to grant his son Hunter Biden a pardon, was announced on Sunday.
The pardon covers potential federal crimes Hunter may have committed from 2014 to 2024, including allegations of influence peddling, sex trafficking, and serving as a financial intermediary for the Biden family.
Zeleny revealed that the decision to pardon Hunter was deeply personal and stemmed from private family discussions rather than a broader policy debate within the Biden administration.
“We were told that this came to a head this weekend,” Zeleny explained. “This is why President Biden decided now to do this. But… this has been very much a family discussion and something that has been not widely shared or discussed as a policy matter inside the West Wing.”
🚨 NEW: CNN just ADMITTED Biden pardoned Hunter for ALL crimes for the past 11 years out of fear that his family would be investigated by the Trump administration
THIS WAS ONE BIG COVERUP. pic.twitter.com/AJOaWVDKqs
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) December 2, 2024
The pardon appears to have been influenced by fears of what the incoming Trump Justice Department could pursue, with Zeleny noting, “There was a worry of future prosecutions or the potential of what the incoming Trump Justice Department could do.”
This move marks a dramatic shift from Biden’s earlier stance. In a June 2024 interview with David Muir of ABC News, Biden unequivocally stated he would not pardon his son. However, Zeleny pointed out that much has changed since then, including Biden’s failure to secure reelection.
“His station in life has changed,” Zeleny said, adding that Biden’s time spent with family in Nantucket over the Thanksgiving holiday played a pivotal role in finalizing the decision.
The pardon announcement follows Hunter’s legal troubles, including his recent conviction on felony gun charges and guilty pleas to tax crimes. Critics argue the pardon is an attempt to shield Hunter—and potentially other members of the Biden family—from further investigations and prosecutions.
Nick Sortor, a political commentator, amplified the controversy on social media, accusing Biden of orchestrating a cover-up to protect his family.
“CNN just ADMITTED Biden pardoned Hunter for ALL crimes for the past 11 years out of fear that his family would be investigated by the Trump administration. THIS WAS ONE BIG COVERUP,” Sortor wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
This sentiment echoes the concerns of many who view the pardon as a politically motivated act designed to preempt potential legal challenges under the Trump administration.
The blanket pardon raises questions about the intersection of personal loyalty and public duty. Critics argue that it undermines the justice system, while supporters view it as a father’s act of compassion in the face of relentless scrutiny.
As the Biden family faces intense public and political backlash, this decision will likely remain a focal point of debate, with the incoming administration’s handling of the issue under close watch.
