President Biden said “no” on Thursday, he will not commute the sentence his son, Hunter, is receiving his belief on three counts of weapons offense.
The president already said he will not pardon his 54-year-old son, something he reiterated during a press conference joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Italy on Thursday.
“I am extremely proud of my son, Hunter,” Mr. Biden said. “He has overcome an addiction. He is one of the smartest, most decent men I know. And I am confident that I will not do anything. I said I would abide by the jury's decision. I will do that And I won't do that.” forgive him.”
After the formal press conference ended, a reporter asked the president if he would commute his son's sentence.
“No,” Mr. Biden responded.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
Commuting a sentence means that a sentence is shortened or terminated, for example a prison sentence. Hunter Biden faces a prison sentence of up to 25 years, but he has not yet been sentenced. It is not clear whether he will receive a prison sentence. And his legal team is expected to appeal.
Jurors agreed with prosecutors that Hunter Biden lied about his drug use on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives form when he bought a revolver, ammunition and a speed loader on Oct. 12, 2018, in Wilmington, Delaware. Federal law prohibits unlawful users of controlled substances from possessing firearms.
A number of Hunter Biden's family members attended the trial, including first lady Jill Biden. But Biden stayed away from the courthouse and only flew to Delaware to visit his son and family after the trial ended.
Nancy Cordes contributed to this report
