It’s Not What You Know, But Who

After months of Joe Biden stating that he would not pardon his son, Hunter Biden, he has now done just that. The recent pardon raises several important issues about fairness and consistency. This move is somewhat surprising—to those on the left. Meanwhile, people on the right are only surprised that anyone on the left is surprised. Ultimately, this decision by Biden raises significant questions about justice in America.

Hunter was recently convicted for lying on the ATF Form 4473 during a firearm purchase. Specifically, question 21F asks:

“Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?”

Hunter answered “no” on the form, despite his well-documented struggles with addiction. Lying on this form is a felony, yet according to the President, people are “not typically charged” for such offenses, and Hunter’s charges were politically motivated due to his identity. However, this raises some serious questions:

• If people who lie on Form 4473 are “not typically charged,” then why is it a crime punishable as a felony under federal law? What message does it send when some are held accountable and others are not? Furthermore, the existence of Form 4473 itself can be seen as an infringement on the right to keep and bear arms—it should be discontinued, and all copies destroyed.
• Federal Firearms License holders (FFLs) have been shut down for simple clerical errors by the ATF, yet here, a felony offense is excused. This inconsistency suggests a troubling double standard.
• Many gun rights advocates were looking forward to the case moving through the system. It was a chance to challenge the constitutionality of the Form 4473. But now that Hunter has been pardoned this case has been terminated.

One of the most notable aspects of this pardon is its unprecedented breadth. It pardons Hunter for any potential crimes from 2014 to 2024, without specifying any charges. This makes it one of the broadest pardons ever issued by a U.S. President.

Ultimately, while we often hear that “nobody is above the law,” this case challenges the public’s faith in that sentiment. Perhaps Hunter Biden should change his name to “Nobody Biden”.