President Joe Biden’s sweeping pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, has drawn sharp criticism from IRS whistleblowers who exposed alleged interference in the investigation into Hunter’s financial crimes. Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley and Special Agent Joe Ziegler issued a statement Sunday, condemning the move as an abuse of power that undermines justice.
The pardon, issued on Sunday evening, covers all crimes Hunter Biden may have committed from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024. It follows Hunter’s convictions for multiple tax and gun-related felonies and misdemeanors, which were uncovered despite what whistleblowers claim was obstruction by the Biden administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ).
Shapley and Ziegler had previously testified before Congress in 2023, alleging DOJ interference in Hunter Biden’s investigation. Among their claims:
- U.S. Attorney David Weiss was blocked twice from pursuing stronger charges against Hunter Biden.
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf restricted questioning about whether President Biden was referred to as “the big guy” in Hunter’s communications.
- Hunter allegedly deducted payments for prostitutes and sex clubs from his taxes.
The whistleblowers highlighted how their disclosures led to the case moving forward, despite the DOJ’s reported attempts to shield the president’s son. They also noted that Hunter’s attorneys targeted them with lawsuits and accusations, further complicating the investigation.
The whistleblowers expressed dismay over Biden’s decision to pardon his son after repeatedly claiming he would not interfere in the legal process. They stated, “No amount of lies or spin can hide the simple truth that the Justice Department nearly let the President’s son off the hook for multiple felonies.”
They added, “President Biden has the power to put his thumb on the scales of justice for his son, but at least he had to do it with a pardon explicitly for all the world to see rather than his political appointees doing it secretly behind the scenes. Either way, it is a sad day for law-abiding taxpayers.”
Hunter Biden’s pardon comes just before his sentencing on tax and gun charges. The move has fueled accusations of special treatment for the president’s family, raising questions about the DOJ’s independence and fairness. Critics argue the pardon undermines trust in the justice system, particularly as the whistleblowers’ allegations point to systemic issues within federal agencies.
The case has reignited calls for transparency and accountability, as Congress and the public scrutinize the implications of Hunter Biden’s legal troubles and the president’s controversial decision to grant clemency.
