Hunter Biden’s Pardon Sparks Strong Bipartisan Backlash from Arizona Officials

By Matthew Holloway |

President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, is generating significant backlash from political leaders in Arizona, spanning both sides of the aisle. Two Republican congressmen and an incoming congressman-elect joined a Democratic representative in expressing their disapproval of what they view as a blatant double standard.

In a statement released Sunday, President Biden defended the pardon, claiming his son faced selective prosecution related to violations of federal gun laws and tax code infractions. He argued that Hunter was “unfairly prosecuted” and stated, “Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form.”

Biden elaborated, alleging that the charges stemmed from political motivations, asserting that political opponents instigated them to undermine his presidency. He criticized the unraveling of a plea deal negotiated by the Department of Justice, which he believed would have served as a fair resolution of Hunter’s cases. Biden condemned the treatment of his son as politically motivated, claiming it was an attempt to break both Hunter and himself.

The pardon itself, described by the president as a “Full and Unconditional Pardon,” has raised eyebrows due to its broad scope. It covers any offenses related to Hunter Biden from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024. This timeline includes periods during President Biden’s tenure as vice president and Hunter’s involvement with Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company, potentially encompassing various investigations into these matters.

In response to the pardon, Republican Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09) questioned the implications of Biden’s actions, suggesting it served as a “Proxy Pardon” for the president or his brother, James Biden. Meanwhile, Congressman-elect Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) voiced strong criticism, declaring that Biden is ending his presidency in disgrace and calling for an end to what he termed a two-tiered justice system.

Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) added to the chorus of criticism, respectfully disagreeing with Biden’s decision. He emphasized that Hunter Biden had committed felonies and faced conviction by a jury, challenging the idea that the prosecution was politically motivated.

The reactions from both political parties highlight the bipartisan concern over perceived inequities in the justice system and the implications of a president pardoning a family member. As tensions rise, the political ramifications of this decision will continue to unfold.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for the latest updates, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.