Special counsel David Weiss’ office has issued a strong rebuttal in a court filing against President Joe Biden’s reasoning for pardoning his son, Hunter Biden. The president had stated that his son was unfairly prosecuted when announcing the pardon on Sunday.
Weiss’ team emphasized in the filing that there was no evidence of vindictive or selective prosecution in Hunter Biden's case. This assertion was supported by the fact that two judges had previously dismissed Hunter Biden’s claim of being selectively prosecuted earlier this year.
This recent court filing marks the first public response from Weiss’ team following the pardon. While acknowledging that the pardon effectively closes the case, the office has requested that the charges against Hunter Biden not be formally dismissed but rather that the case be closed.
The prosecutors noted in the filing that while the government does not contest that Hunter Biden received a pardon, it does not negate the initial grand jury decision to charge him based on probable cause. The counsel’s office stressed that the charges should not be erased simply because Hunter Biden falsely alleged they were motivated by improper reasons.
The filing highlights the importance of upholding the grand jury's decision and not erasing the charges as if they never existed. The office's stance underscores the need for accountability and respect for the legal process, even in cases involving acts of clemency.