Many of Alabama's federal lawmakers were quick to point out the apparent hypocrisy of President Joe Biden for issuing a sweeping pardon to his son Hunter Sunday night after having repeatedly pledged the opposite.

The pardon came weeks before Hunter Biden was slated to receive his punishment after he was convicted on federal felony gun and tax charges.

The president's sweeping pardon covers not just those offenses but also any other "offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024."

Biden categorically had ruled out a pardon or commutation for his son in June, telling reporters, "I abide by the jury decision. I will do that, and I will not pardon him."

Hunter Biden was convicted in June in Delaware federal court of three felonies for purchasing a gun in 2018 when prosecutors said he lied on a federal form by claiming he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs. He also agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor and felony charges in a California case accusing him of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes.

The tax charges carry up to 17 years in federal prison, and the gun charges are punishable by up to a 25-year sentence.

House Republicans also launched an impeachment inquiry for the president surrounding Hunter Biden's allegedly shady business dealings with foreign companies, accusing him of using his father's influence to brook financial gain.

In his statement Sunday, President Biden claimed he finally decided on the pardon after determining that his son had been unfairly targeted for political reasons. He said he hopes "Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision."

The president's decision did not sit well with many in Congress, who swiftly pointed out the perceived hypocrisy of his reneging on his previous pledge.

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) retweeted an old post from the president's account aimed at Trump that stated, "No one is above the law."

"What he meant to say is, 'No one is above the law, except for my son Hunter Biden and the millions of illegal immigrants I let pour across our open border,'' Moore posted.

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) stated that the pardon was predictable, noting the president's continued deception and lies.

"It's no surprise Biden would pardon his son Hunter," Strong said. "The Biden family, the Democrat Party, and the deep state have never gone by the same rules as the rest of America. Once again, Biden's repeated promises not to pardon his son were just more lies to the American people."

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said he, too, felt the pardon was inevitable despite the president's promise.

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover), who was part of the investigation into Hunter Biden's business dealings, rejected the claims of political targeting and said the pardon proved there was something to hide.

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.

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