"Trump Slams Biden's Pardon of Hunter, Calls It 'Such an Abuse,' Asks About 'J-6 Hostages'"

"Trump Had Predicted Biden Would Pardon His Son, Hunter"

Trump Reacts to Biden's Unexpected Pardon of Hunter, Suggests Focus Should Be on Jan. 6 Protesters

President-elect Donald Trump responded to President Biden's surprise decision to pardon his son, Hunter, on Sunday, calling it an "abuse" of justice and questioning whether the pardon extended to the "J-6 Hostages" still imprisoned after the January 6 Capitol riot.

Biden's decision to pardon Hunter — a move he had previously stated he wouldn't make — drew attention nationwide. In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized the action, writing, "Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!"

Trump's transition team also issued a statement responding to the pardon. Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications chief, accused the Democrat-controlled Department of Justice (DOJ) of "weaponizing the justice system" in its investigation of the former president.

"The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proven that the Democrat-controlled DOJ and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system," Cheung said in a statement to Fox News. "That system of justice must be fixed, and due process must be restored for all Americans, which is exactly what President Trump will do as he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people."

Earlier in the day, President Biden addressed criticism of the pardon, accusing Republicans of unfair treatment and arguing that Hunter had been "treated differently" by prosecutors. Hunter Biden had been convicted earlier this year of three felony firearm offenses in Delaware and pleaded guilty to multiple felony tax offenses in September.

"From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted," Biden said in a statement.

He also noted that those convicted on similar charges — including late tax payments due to addiction — typically face non-criminal resolutions, not felony convictions. Biden mentioned his son's battle with substance abuse, adding, "There has been an effort to break Hunter – who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution."

The president continued, "In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me – and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough."

Biden had previously denied any intent to pardon Hunter following his conviction, stating after the trial, "I am not going to do anything. I will abide by the jury’s decision."

However, Trump had long predicted that Biden would eventually pardon his son. In an interview with Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin earlier this year, Trump remarked that, if elected, he would not take any "overt" action regarding Hunter Biden’s legal troubles, describing the situation as "sad." He added, "I'll bet you the father probably pardons him... Let’s see what happens. But he’s a bad boy."