Hunter Biden Tax Case: Federal Judge Critiques President’s Pardon

The ongoing legal saga surrounding Hunter Biden has taken a surprising turn, as a federal judge issued a striking critique of President Biden’s recent actions regarding his son’s tax case. The ruling came shortly after the President granted a last-minute pardon to Hunter Biden, an act that has been met with significant scrutiny.

Judge’s Condemnation of Presidential Actions

U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi, appointed to the bench by former President Donald Trump, lambasted President Biden in a detailed five-page order. He accused the President of attempting to “rewrite history” with the pardon and raised constitutional concerns regarding the extent of the relief granted to Hunter Biden. Judge Scarsi underscored that while the Constitution indeed grants the President broad authority to issue pardons, it does not permit the rewriting of historical facts.

“The Constitution provides the President with broad authority to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, but nowhere does the Constitution give the President the authority to rewrite history,” he stated.

Concerns Over Communication and Legal Procedure

In his ruling, Judge Scarsi expressed disapproval over how the President communicated the pardon to the judiciary. Instead of providing an official document verifying the pardon, President Biden chose to notify the court through a White House press release. The judge was clear in his assessment:

“Rather than providing a true and correct copy of the pardon with the notice, Mr. Biden provided a hyperlink to a White House press release presenting a statement by the President regarding the pardon and the purported text of the pardon. In short, a press release is not a pardon.”

Presidential Claims Under Scrutiny

Judge Scarsi did not shy away from addressing the President’s comments regarding the treatment of Hunter Biden compared to others with similar legal troubles. President Biden had suggested that his son was treated differently due to serious addictions, a statement that the judge found troubling.

“The President asserts that Mr. Biden ‘was treated differently’ from others ‘who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions,’ implying that Mr. Biden was among those individuals who untimely paid taxes due to addiction. But he is not,” the judge wrote.

Scarsi further noted that two federal judges had already rejected the argument that the charges against Hunter were politically motivated due to his familial ties to the President. He remarked that the suggestion by President Biden that federal employees were “unreasonable” for prosecuting his son was unfounded.

Implications of the Presidential Pardon

As the case stands, Judge Scarsi stated that he would proceed with dismissing the case upon receiving the official pardon from the appropriate executive agency. In the meantime, he has vacated Hunter Biden’s sentencing, previously scheduled for December 16. Despite the charges he faced, which could have resulted in up to 17 years in prison, federal guidelines suggested he would likely receive a significantly lighter sentence.

The Political Landscape and Public Reactions

This unexpected pardon comes amid a backdrop of contradictory statements from President Biden. Over the summer, the President had firmly ruled out the possibility of pardoning his son, even after a jury convicted Hunter of three felony firearm offenses. After the verdict, he stated, “I will abide by the jury’s decision.”

Despite his previous resolute stance, the President’s actions have sparked a mix of reactions from both sides of the political aisle. Critics argue that the pardon is further evidence of political favoritism, whereas others believe the action reflects a compassionate response from a father concerned for his son’s well-being.

Consequences for Hunter Biden

Hunter Biden, who is now 54, has experienced significant legal challenges over the past year, beginning with his trial in Delaware for firearm offenses. Following a guilty plea in a separate tax case earlier this year, the implications of his father’s pardon could reshape his future legal landscape significantly.

Future of the Case and Uncertain Legal Waters

As events unfold, many questions linger regarding the legality and public perception of the presidential pardon. Will this move effectively shield Hunter Biden from the consequences of his actions, or will it lead to further investigations into the motivations behind such a controversial decision?

As the judicial system responds to the President’s pardon, the intertwining of familial ties and legal accountability continues to be a topic of heated debate in America. The eyes of the nation now rest on Judge Scarsi, President Biden, and Hunter Biden, as the legal implications of this case and the ramifications of a presidential pardon continue to unfold.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for further comment on this developing story.

Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton and Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.