# The Hunter Biden Investigation {thread started in 2019}, Hunter Pardoned on December 1, 2024 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 28, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964 "2019-09-28T19:54:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 36
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/703 "2023-11-29T13:58:19Z")
Assuming you’re serious, you’ll have to wait forever, because nothing like that ever happened. How do I know? Because if it had, Republicans would have been sharing the evidence every hour of every day for the last three years. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/704 "2023-11-29T17:53:49Z")
> [@TeroSunbear](#): > > I can’t wait to see that Joe Biden got $40 000 from China. With a check from his brother. I think you’ve just explained why the Republicans want to keep Hunter Biden’s testimony secret, and not public. So they can spread things like this with impunity. Thanks for confirming. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/705 "2023-11-29T18:09:24Z")
> [@TeroSunbear](#): > > I can’t wait to see that Joe Biden got $40 000 from China. With a check from his brother. And what if he had? When are you imagining it happened? Was it while he was in office, or acting as a private citizen? Was he doing some consulting, or had he given a speech? If it was influence peddling, what strings did he pull, or what actions did he take, that generated that payout? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/706 "2023-11-29T18:13:40Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > If it was influence peddling, what strings did he pull, or what actions did he take, that generated that payout? And who thinks Biden would have sold out for so little? He’s not some city councilor approving a zoning variance, he’s the friggen President! ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/707 "2023-11-29T18:20:20Z")
I really want Joe to pardon Hunter so we can use that as the new example of why we should get rid of the President’s Pardon Power. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/708 "2023-11-29T18:21:48Z")
I think he has to be convicted of something first, doesn’t he? That seems to be the hard part. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/709 "2023-11-29T18:23:17Z")
Nixon wasn’t and Ford pardoned him. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/710 "2023-11-29T18:33:30Z")
That one was never challenged and tested in the courts. The expert class considers it an unsettled question, the Ford pardon notwithstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/711 "2023-11-29T18:35:40Z")
Carter pardoned all of the Vietnam draft dodgers. It’s been done more than once. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/712 "2023-11-29T18:43:49Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > And who thinks Biden would have sold out for so little? He’s not some city councilor approving a zoning variance, he’s the friggen President! Maybe that’s the point? “Haw haw, Biden only got $40K. That’s peanuts! Our Republicans get MUCH bigger bribes!” ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/713 "2023-11-29T18:59:54Z")
Fair point. I’m doing this from memory (and not a lawyer), but from what I read, I thought the point in question was not whether someone convicted or indicted was eligible. Rather, it concerned the sort of nebulous, “anything criminal he may have committed” pardon Ford issued. BTW, I’m not offering an opinion. Just a dodgy summary of a crappy recollection. I know the SDMB thrives on such contributions. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/714 "2023-11-29T20:07:13Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > I’m doing this from memory (and not a lawyer), but from what I read, I thought the point in question was not whether someone convicted or indicted was eligible. Rather, it concerned the sort of nebulous, “anything criminal he may have committed” pardon Ford issued. That’s my memory, as well. Very nebulous. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/715 "2023-11-29T21:33:50Z")
Here’s the exact wording: > Now, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9,1974. [https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/speeches/740061.asp](https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/speeches/740061.asp) ---
**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/716 "2023-11-30T02:55:37Z")
It was humor. But if that 40 000 is something, it still seems a ridiculous small sum to be caught with. It would not be done by even a crook. Joe can make 40 000 with one speech as ex president. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/717 "2023-11-30T03:00:41Z")
Joe is currently President. Humor! See, it’s humor. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/718 "2023-12-08T04:24:32Z")
The stupid it burns- [https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/07/politics/hunter-biden-criminal-case/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/07/politics/hunter-biden-criminal-case/index.html) _Hunter Biden has been charged in connection with a long-running Justice Department investigation into his taxes – the [second criminal case](https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/14/politics/hunter-biden/index.html) that special counsel David Weiss has brought against President Joe Biden’s son._ _The charges span nine counts, including failure to file and pay taxes; evasion of assessment; and false or fraudulent tax return. CNN was first to report a new criminal case had been filed._ So, the MAGAs are now running our courts and the Special prosecutors office. Let me be clear- if you admit you commited tax crimes, promise to do so no more, and agree to pay- the IRS and Tax courts will let you plead out- every single time. (One exception- if you advised others to file false returns) _Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement that “based on the facts and the law, if Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought.”_ _“First, U.S. Attorney Weiss bowed to Republican pressure to file unprecedented and unconstitutional gun charges to renege on a non-prosecution resolution. Now, after five years of investigating with no new evidence – and two years after Hunter paid his taxes in full – the U.S. Attorney has piled on nine new charges when he had agreed just months ago to resolve this matter with a pair of misdemeanors,” he continued._ This is correct. The charges are bogus. Mind you- yes Hunter did commit tax fraud. But he has already paid the amounts due. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/719 "2023-12-08T04:42:35Z")
Meanwhile, over on Fox News, guess what is the top two leading stories? Apparently, this indictment is a nuclear bomb and Joe is stuck in a trap. As George Takei would say, “oh my!” [![](https://i.imgur.com/zRybvWd.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/zRybvWd.png) ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/720 "2023-12-08T05:08:14Z")
To their credit, at least Fox News isn’t referring to Hunter Biden as a Muslim, in this country illegally. Yet. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/721 "2023-12-08T05:15:42Z")
And here I thought we had been assured that not paying taxes and living you were a real billionaire meant you were smart? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/722 "2023-12-08T05:26:23Z")
True. But an “extravagant lifestyle” is a grave sin/no-no. Things like gold toilets and personal Boeing 757s are right out! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=35) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=37)