Biden says 'I will not pardon' son Hunter in first remarks since gun conviction

President Biden said Thursday that Hunter Biden is “one of the brightest, most decent men I know” in his first on-camera remarks about his son’s conviction on federal gun charges — while doubling down on his insistence he won’t pardon him.

“I’m extremely proud of my son, Hunter. He has overcome an addiction,” Biden said during a joint press conference in Italy with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“He’s one of the greatest, most decent men I know, and I am satisfied that I’m not going to do anything I said,” the president went on. “I said I’d abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.”

The 81-year-old president first said last week in an interview with ABC News that he would not pardon his 54-year-old son, whose conviction centered around his addiction to crack cocaine when he purchased a .38 caliber Colt Cobra revolver in 2018, which federal law forbids.

Biden did not specifically comment Thursday on whether he would commute his son’s sentence if he’s ordered to serve time in prison.

Hallie Biden, the widow of the president’s elder son Beau and then-girlfriend of Hunter, disposed of the gun in a public grocery store dumpster, setting in motion the criminal case. She testified at the trial that Hunter introduced her to using crack herself during their stormy relationship.

President Biden did not attend his son’s trial, but a large contingent of relatives did attend, including first lady Jill Biden, Hunter’s stepmother, whom he indecently disparaged in messages recovered from his abandoned laptop.

Hunter could face up to 25 years behind bars on the gun charges, but it’s possible he will receive as little as probation at his sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.

Follow the latest on Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial:

The first son faces a second federal trial on Sept. 5 in Los Angeles over allegations he failed to pay $1.4 million in federal taxes on overseas income between 2016 and 2019.

Joe Biden is attending the annual G7 summit with all three of Hunter’s adult daughters after the extended family gathered Tuesday night in Wilmington, Del.

Biden pledged not to pardon his son ahead of the verdict after attacking his general-election rival Donald Trump for criticizing the fairness of the legal system after a Manhattan jury convicted him May 30 on state charges of falsifying business records to conceal evidence of 2016 “hush money” payments.

Republicans including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) reacted to the first son’s conviction by calling for a more robust federal investigation of other actions of the Biden family, including alleged violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Joe Biden has consistently claimed he “never” discussed business with his son or brother and said in December and again in March that he “did not” interact with their partners.

However, evidence — including photos, emails and witness statements — indicate that Joe Biden did interact with his son and brother’s associates from two Chinese government-linked business ventures and their patrons from Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia and Ukraine.

IRS agents Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler last year alleged a sweeping Justice Department coverup to shield the Biden family and prevent the pursuit of evidence pointing to Joe Biden’s role in those ventures, including messages that directly referenced the elder Biden.

It’s possible Biden will change his mind about pardoning his son before leaving office and follow in the footsteps of former President Bill Clinton, who pardoned his brother Roger Clinton, and Trump, who pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The most controversial pardons generally are reserved for a president’s final weeks — or even hours — in office.