We know that President Joe Biden is extremely close to his son, Hunter Biden. So close, in fact, that he calls him almost every day.
That means that the news of Hunter’s conviction this week on three felony gun charges is likely hitting the president hard.
Just how hard?
Early on in his presidency, Biden seriously considered not running for reelection as a result of the burden his presidency was placing on Hunter, according to Politico. At the time, Hunter was facing enormous pressure due to the accusations that he had sold influence with the Biden family to foreign corporations. Moreover, there was additional criticism over his nascent art career, which seemed to be premised on his relationship with the president. Apparently, Biden only decided to seek reelection after his family — especially Hunter — urged him to do so.
Biden likely blames himself for Hunter’s conviction, as numerous left-wing outlets have argued that prosecutors were aggressive in their charges against Hunter so as to avoid the appearance that the president’s son was getting special treatment. Given that the president felt terrible that his son was in the spotlight because of his presidency, the possibility that Hunter was criminally convicted because of his presidency must make Biden feel truly awful.
There is also reporting that Biden is very emotionally affected by the trial and Hunter’s conviction. According to Politico, Biden was “consumed by worries over the trial of Hunter Biden.” Upon Hunter’s conviction, he emotionally embraced his son during a photo op at an airport. Axios has additionally reported that Biden gravely fears that the prosecution will cause Hunter to relapse.
Could all of this cause Biden to second-guess putting his family through another term in office?
Perhaps. But it could also give Biden an incentive to get reelected.
Although Biden said at the Group of Seven summit that he would not pardon Hunter or commute his sentence, he still could do so. After reelection, there would be very few repercussions.
This article is an excerpt from The American Spectator’s Spectator P.M. newsletter. Subscribe today to read future letters from our staff!
