"Biden Dodges Questions on Controversial Pardon for Son Hunter"

President Joe Biden faced a wave of criticism after pardoning his son Hunter, despite previous public promises not to use his presidential powers for family matters. During a visit to Angola, Biden ducked questions about the reversal, with many fearing the political implications of his decision.

President Joe Biden faced questions on Tuesday regarding his controversial decision to pardon his son Hunter, but chose to avoid answering. As he began his first presidential trip to Angola, Biden ignored multiple inquiries from reporters asking him to explain his change of stance. Laughing off the questions, he simply addressed the Angolan delegation, saying, “Welcome to America.”

According to press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden was not scheduled to take questions during his visit to Africa, and he has been largely avoiding the press since President-elect Donald Trump's victory last month.

Biden’s choice to grant his son a blanket pardon for actions spanning the last 11 years has caused a storm of political backlash in Washington. This move stands in stark contrast to Biden's prior public promises that he would not use his presidential powers to benefit family members. The president also claimed that his son was unjustly prosecuted by his own Justice Department, calling the case a “miscarriage of justice.”

Many Democrats have voiced their concerns, particularly as they prepare for Trump's presidency. They fear that Biden’s pardon of Hunter, coupled with his claims of politically motivated prosecution, may undermine their ability to challenge Trump’s legal battles. The controversy is also threatening to overshadow Biden’s legacy as he approaches the end of his presidency on January 20.

Just months earlier, in June, when Hunter Biden was facing trial for a gun-related charge in Delaware, President Biden had stated, “I will abide by the jury’s decision, and I will not pardon him.” This was reiterated by Jean-Pierre in July, who firmly stated, “It’s still a no. It will be a no.” Even after Trump’s victory in November, the message remained unchanged: “Our answer stands, which is no.”