Hunter Biden says he understands criticism behind dad's pardon, calls it ‘not good’ for America

WASHINGTON, DC: Hunter Biden acknowledged that the presidential pardon granted to him by his father, former President Joe Biden, was “not good” for America or his father’s legacy while defending the decision as an act of parental concern. 

Speaking with the BBC on Friday, August 7, Hunter also discussed his father’s cancer diagnosis, his own history of addiction and his decision to stay out of elected politics. The former first son said he plans instead to focus on addiction recovery and helping others with similar struggles.

Hunter Biden defends controversial presidential pardon

Biden granted his son a full and unconditional pardon in December 2024, covering his federal firearms conviction, a tax case to which he had pleaded guilty, and other federal offenses dating from 2014 through 2024. The former president had previously said he would not intervene in his son’s legal cases.

Hunter said he understood why the decision had been criticized but maintained that he remained grateful his father had intervened. “What would you have thought of my dad if he did not do that for me?” he said. “It’s something that is easily criticized and for good reason.”

“It’s not fair… All I know is that I’m grateful that he did it for me,” he said, acknowledging that the pardon was “not good” for the American people, the Constitution, or his father’s legacy.

The 56-year-old said he believed his father acted out of concern that he could face further legal scrutiny under the incoming Trump administration. He shared that he and his father had not discussed the possibility of a pardon before it was issued. 

“I was the only one in the world that could have gotten what I got from the only person in the world who could give it, my father,” Hunter said. “There is no way that you can have those kinds of discussions that would not become public.”

Hunter Biden says it's 'really sad to watch' Joe Biden amid cancer battle

Hunter also spoke about his father’s health, revealing that Biden’s cancer has spread to his bones and describing the illness as "very painful" and "debilitating." “Cancer is really hard,” he said. “It’s really sad to watch.”

He also reflected on his own struggles with addiction, describing periods when he consumed large amounts of psychedelic substances. “It was hell on earth,” Hunter said. “There’s nothing glamorous about it,” he added, saying addiction had initially appeared to offer an escape from anxiety and isolation before becoming a threat to his life.

He ruled out pursuing elected office and said he instead intends to focus on addiction and recovery. “I believe that addiction and the hope of recovery are something that connect us all,” he expressed.

When asked what he was most proud of about his father, Hunter pointed to Biden’s ability to recover from setbacks. “I’m most proud of his resilience,” he said. “He’s proven time and time again that when you get knocked down, you can get up, he’s the toughest man I know.”