Former President Donald Trump weighed in Sunday evening on President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, calling it a reflection of “raw politics” and linking it to his ongoing advocacy for those charged in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter announced earlier in the evening, received widespread applause from political insiders and commentators, with the president asserting that “raw politics” had unfairly tainted the case against his son.
Trump took to his platform, Truth Social, to deliver his reaction, quickly steering the conversation toward the January 6 defendants. “Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?” Trump wrote. “Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!”
Trump’s comments echoed his long-standing criticism of the treatment of individuals charged in connection with the Capitol riot, whom he has often referred to as political prisoners. The post drew attention from far-right allies, with Laura Loomer, a staunch Trump supporter, amplifying his response. “President Trump just posted this on Truth Social in reaction to Joe Biden pardoning Hunter Biden tonight,” Loomer wrote, cheering his remarks.
The pardon of Hunter Biden has sparked intense debate across political lines. While supporters praised Biden’s move as a step to shield his family from prolonged political attacks, critics argued that the pardon undermines the justice system. Trump’s reaction further intensified the discourse, suggesting the president’s leniency toward his son should extend to those involved in the January 6 riot.
The January 6 defendants remain a polarizing issue, with some viewing them as victims of political overreach and others condemning their actions as an attack on democracy. Trump’s renewed focus on these individuals underscores his strategy of tying their fates to his broader grievances with what he calls a politically biased justice system.
Biden has yet to respond directly to Trump’s comments, and the impact of the Hunter Biden pardon on the political landscape remains uncertain. For now, Trump continues to use moments like these to energize his base and spotlight his ongoing criticisms of the Biden administration.