Hunter Biden has acknowledged in a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's Newsnight that his father's decision to pardon him was "not good" for America or for former President Joe Biden's legacy, even as he defended the move as necessary protection against politically motivated prosecution.
Joe Biden granted his son a full and unconditional pardon in December 2024, covering a federal gun conviction, a tax case he had pleaded guilty to, and any federal offenses committed between 2014 and 2024. The decision came despite the former president having repeatedly said beforehand that he would not use presidential powers to intervene in his son's legal cases. In announcing the pardon at the time, Joe Biden said his son had been unfairly and selectively targeted by prosecutors.
Denying Any Prior Discussion About the Pardon
In the BBC interview, Hunter Biden insisted that he and his father never discussed the possibility of a pardon before it was granted, arguing that any such conversation would inevitably have become public. He described himself as one of the most privileged people to have received clemency, acknowledging that the decision drew widespread public criticism — criticism he said was understandable — while maintaining that his gratitude for the pardon outweighed concerns about public perception.
Joe Biden's Cancer Has Spread, Son Reveals
Hunter Biden grew emotional at several points during the interview, particularly when discussing his father's health. He revealed that Joe Biden's cancer has metastasized into his bones and beyond, calling it very painful and very debilitating. Pausing to compose himself, he described the situation as sad to watch, while praising his father as the center of the family and, in his words, the best father, husband, and grandfather. He added that the only thing he wishes is that his father would complain more about his condition.
Reflecting on the 2024 Debate and Ruling Out Office
Hunter Biden also revisited the June 2024 presidential debate that effectively ended his father's re-election campaign, saying he watched it from California and immediately sensed something was wrong. He firmly ruled out any interest in running for elected office himself. Asked what he was proudest of regarding his father, he pointed not to his time in public office but to his resilience, describing him as someone who has repeatedly gotten back up after being knocked down.
Opening Up About Addiction
The interview also touched on Hunter Biden's long, public struggle with addiction. He described the severity of his substance use at its worst, including heavy daily alcohol consumption alongside frequent crack cocaine use, and spoke about his current focus on helping others in recovery.
A Legacy Still Being Debated
The pardon has remained a politically charged flashpoint since it was announced. Critics across the political spectrum, including some Democratic-aligned commentators, have described it as a stain on Joe Biden's presidency, given his repeated public promises not to intervene in his son's cases. Historians and political analysts have echoed similar concerns, arguing the reversal will factor into how his presidency is ultimately remembered — even as supporters frame it as an understandable decision by a father shielding his son from politically motivated prosecution. For the full BBC Newsnight interview, see BBC News.