President Joe Biden pardoned Hunter Biden for multiple tax-related crimes on Sunday, just months after pushing for aggressive IRS measures to combat tax evasion. The move has raised questions about Biden’s consistency and commitment to holding high earners accountable.
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act included $78 billion for IRS expansion, hiring 87,000 employees to target tax evasion by wealthy individuals. A 2024 White House statement claimed the majority of working families pay their taxes in full, adding, “It is long past time for the wealthiest households to do the same.”
Hunter Biden’s tax crimes, however, starkly contradict this message. He pleaded guilty in September to failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes, with prosecutors alleging the funds were spent on luxury hotels, drugs, and escorts. Without his father’s pardon, Hunter faced up to 17 years in prison.
Biden defended the pardon, stating Hunter was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” because of his family connections. However, the average sentence for tax fraud in 2023 was 16 months, with far smaller sums involved than Hunter’s case.
The pardon stands in contrast to IRS rules under Biden’s administration that target smaller earners. A controversial policy mandates reporting payments over $600 through apps like Venmo and Cash App. Critics argue this disproportionately affects small businesses and part-time workers while leaving high-income earners relatively untouched.
Biden’s decision also contradicts earlier promises. During a press event with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden said, “I will not pardon him,” referring to his son’s legal troubles.
The decision to pardon Hunter has sparked backlash, with critics suggesting it undermines Biden’s efforts to present his administration as tough on tax evasion.
