Following a presidential pardon, Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has been seen publicly for the first time. He was photographed in Santa Barbara, California, picking up an order from a fast-food restaurant. Dressed casually in a T-shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap, he smiled briefly for the cameras before entering an SUV accompanied by security personnel.

Reporters on the scene attempted to question Hunter about the pardon, but he offered no response. The pardon, announced by President Biden on Sunday, absolved Hunter of charges related to illegal gun purchase and failure to pay taxes. The President's statement cited political motivations and a "miscarriage of justice" as the reasons for his decision.

President Biden's statement emphasized his commitment to non-interference with the Justice Department while simultaneously expressing his belief that his son was subjected to unfair and selective prosecution. He highlighted the collapse of a previously negotiated plea deal, attributing it to political pressure from his opponents. The President expressed hope that the American public would understand his decision as both a father and a president.

This pardon contradicts President Biden's previous assertions, made both before and after Hunter's conviction in a June gun trial, that he would not pardon his son. He had stated his intention to respect the jury's decision. The June conviction stemmed from Hunter's false statements regarding drug use during a 2018 gun purchase. He was found guilty on three counts related to the purchase and possession of the firearm.

Hunter Biden's struggles with addiction have been well-documented, including in his 2021 memoir. Separate from the gun charges, he faced trial in September on tax-related offenses in California. He entered a surprise guilty plea just as jury selection was set to begin.