White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced a barrage of questions during a press briefing on Monday after President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, triggered immediate backlash.
Hunter Biden had been convicted of tax violations and illegal gun handling, convictions that had previously led to widespread speculation and multiple denials from the Biden administration.
Jean-Pierre, who had maintained that President Biden would not use his executive powers to pardon his son, was confronted by reporters questioning her about the apparent contradiction. “How can you explain what you previously said wouldn’t happen, and yet it did?” one reporter asked, pointing out the shift in stance. Another reporter even pressed, asking, “Do you owe the American people an apology?”
In defence of the president’s decision, Jean-Pierre reiterated that the decision to pardon Hunter Biden had been a difficult one. “It was not easy for Joe Biden, and he wrestled with it,” she said, emphasising that the president had carefully considered the decision. “He thought about it multiple times before making that decision,” Jean-Pierre continued. “I suggest people read the president’s statement.”
Despite the intense questioning, Jean-Pierre expressed strong support for Biden, claiming that the American people largely respected his decision. To support her argument, she referenced a poll, though her citation was quickly questioned. “I called out the US Gov [sic] poll where 64% of Americans, that’s not a small number, agree with the president’s decision to pardon his son,” Jean-Pierre claimed.
However, the poll Jean-Pierre referred to was from YouGov, not “US Gov,” as she had said. Moreover, the poll results were not as Jean-Pierre suggested. While 64% of Democrats did support the pardon, only 34% of all Americans “strongly” or “somewhat” approved, with 50% expressing disapproval.
The pardon was issued after Hunter Biden pled guilty to federal tax charges in September and was convicted of three felony gun charges in June, stemming from his false statements on a gun purchase form. For over a year, both President Biden and Jean-Pierre had repeatedly insisted that Hunter would not receive a pardon.
Social media users quickly reacted to Karine Jean-Pierre’s change of stance on X.
This is not the first time that KJP has come under fire for Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter. On Monday, reporters slammed her with similar questions, questioning her honesty and assessing Joe Biden’s role as president, as well as his integrity and credibility.
