Hunter Biden tells BBC his pardon was 'not good' for America or his father's legacy

Hunter Biden has stated that the presidential pardon he received from his father, former U.S. President Joe Biden, was not beneficial for America or his father's legacy. In an interview with the BBC's Newsnight, Biden described himself as "the most privileged person there is" due to the pardon.

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What would you have thought of my dad if he did not do that for me?

While acknowledging the validity of the criticism surrounding the pardon, Hunter Biden expressed gratitude for his father's decision. He suggested that his father acted out of concern that he would become a target under Donald Trump's incoming administration. Biden insisted that he and his father never discussed the possibility of a pardon beforehand, citing the impossibility of such private discussions remaining secret.

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It's not fair… All I know is that I'm grateful that he did it for me.

President Biden granted his son a full pardon in December 2024, covering federal gun and tax convictions, as well as any federal offenses between 2014 and 2024. The White House had previously stated that the President would not use his executive power to intervene in his son's legal matters. The pardon came despite President Biden's prior assurances.

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Cancer is really hard. It's really sad to watch.

During the interview, Hunter Biden also became emotional when discussing his father's health, describing President Biden's cancer as "very painful" and "very debilitating." He also reflected on the June 2024 presidential debate, which ultimately led to his father's withdrawal from the re-election campaign, stating he sensed something was wrong immediately after watching it.

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My dad is, to this day, the centre of our family. He's the best father, the best husband, the best grandfather.