The White House declined to comment on whether President Joe Biden might consider commuting Hunter Biden’s upcoming sentence after his son was found guilty of three federal gun charges.
When asked during a press gaggle on Air Force One if a commutation for Hunter Biden is being considered, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre referenced President Biden’s previous statement ruling out a pardon but did not dismiss the possibility of a commutation.
“I haven’t discussed this with the president since the verdict was announced, and as we know, the sentencing date hasn’t been set yet,” Jean-Pierre said.
While a presidential pardon absolves a convicted individual of all guilt, a commutation reduces the punishment while keeping the conviction intact.
For instance, former President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his former campaign aide Roger Stone, sparing him from prison for seven felonies before Trump left office.
U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika has not yet set a sentencing date for Hunter Biden. On Tuesday, he was found guilty of falsely filling out a federal form denying his addiction to narcotics when purchasing a firearm, lying to a gun dealer, and knowingly possessing the revolver despite restrictions against people addicted to drugs owning firearms.
Hunter Biden, 54, faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison for the three charges. However, first-time, nonviolent offenders typically receive shorter sentences, and most legal experts believe he is unlikely to face incarceration.
Following the verdict, President Biden released a written statement saying he “will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal.” In an interview with ABC News last week, Biden stated he will not pardon his son.
Biden’s reaction contrasts sharply with former President Trump’s response to his own guilty verdict in the New York hush-money trial last month. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, called it a “rigged trial” and blamed Biden.
Biden, who departed Wednesday for a Group of Seven nations summit in Italy, has not answered any questions from reporters since his son’s conviction.
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