White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed questions regarding President Joe Biden's potential pardon for his son, Hunter, during a press briefing on Monday. Jean-Pierre initially stated that Biden would not have pardoned his son if Vice President Kamala Harris had won the 2024 election, but later walked back her statement.
When asked about the president's decision in light of a hypothetical Harris victory, Jean-Pierre declined to engage in speculation, emphasizing that Biden made the decision based on the current circumstances. She reiterated that Biden believed his son was facing unwarranted political targeting, leading to the pardon.
Despite repeated inquiries, Jean-Pierre refrained from providing additional details on the pardon announcement, directing reporters to the original statement released by the White House. When questioned about the administration's previous assurances that Biden would not consider pardoning his son, Jean-Pierre emphasized the president's commitment to honesty with the American people.
During the briefing, Jean-Pierre encouraged individuals to read Biden's full statement on the pardon, highlighting the president's thoughtful deliberation on the matter. She did not disclose whether the Bidens had discussed the pardon decision over the weekend, stating that Biden had carefully considered the situation and perceived his son as a target of unfair scrutiny.
Notably, Jean-Pierre had previously indicated on November 7, a day after the election, that Biden had no intentions of pardoning his son. However, reports suggested that White House aides had been increasingly considering the possibility of a pardon following recent political developments.
As the press secretary and President Biden traveled to Africa, Jean-Pierre's remarks shed light on the president's rationale behind the controversial pardon decision, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and integrity in his communications with the public.
