# The Hunter Biden Investigation {thread started in 2019}, Hunter Pardoned on December 1, 2024
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964
**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:** 80
### Author:  [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2024, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1584 "2024-09-06T20:30:01Z")
> [@Procrustus](#):
>
> > [@Aspenglow](#):
> >
> > How many of those [people who Trump pardoned or commute the sentences of] did anyone remember in this thread?
>
> I recall quite a few of the more notorious ones. Many are truly disgraceful.
And he was willing to add or subtract names on a whim.
> [@](#):
>
> In late 2020 and early 2021, Snoop Dogg secretly worked to influence the White House on executive clemency for federal prisoners — including for the rapper’s close friend and Death Row Records figure, Michael “Harry-O” Harris.
>
> Snoop Dogg’s old words had inflamed Trump all over again by the early evening of Jan. 18, 2021, the same day that Trump taped a farewell address to the country. At the time, just weeks after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, the federal government was preparing for a heavily militarized transfer of power from Trump to Biden. And yet, the rapper’s insults still managed to loom large in the Oval Office.
>
> “Well, fuck him,” Trump moaned about Snoop Dogg in the closing days of his term, according to a former administration official and another person who heard him say it.
>
> With just hours left before Biden’s inauguration, Trump’s renewed fury at the rapper set off a frenzied effort both in and outside of the White House to convince Trump that Snoop Dogg wasn’t, in fact, mad at him anymore. The effort lasted almost _literally_ until the final minute of the presidency. Failure to move Trump would have cost the freedom of one of the co-founders of the legendary hip-hop record label Death Row Records, who at the time had been behind bars for three decades.
> **[Trump's Final Hours in Office Were Consumed With Fury at Snoop Dogg](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trumps-snoop-dogg-pardon-final-hours-president-1234969914/)**
>
> Trump’s rage at Snoop Dogg created “chaos” in his administration’s last moments — and nearly killed clemency for Harry-O.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2024, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1585 "2024-09-06T23:13:06Z")
> [@bordelond](#):
>
> **ELIE HONIG, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST:** So let me put this really starkly: if Hunter Biden does not receive a commutation or pardon, he is almost certainly going to federal prison. If we look at this tax case, the guidelines signs which are not mandatory, but they are influential and binding, look to call for a about a three-year sentence for Hunter Biden.
For a Senior legal Analyst this person know dogshit about tax cases. The Court is very loath to deal out any real jail time for anyone who is contrite, admits guilt, and is willing to pay the texes.
Joe will not pardon Hunter. However, if the sentence is out of line for any normal person, Joe will commute the sentence.
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### Author:  [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1586 "2024-09-07T00:06:53Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> If Harris pardons him, it might have political repercussions. If Biden does, after the election? That will not have legs.
Here’s why they would keep hammering it for decades.
First, old headlines like this:
[Biden says he won’t commute any sentence Hunter gets](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-says-he-wont-commute-hunter-sentence/)
You might say that this was only for the gun charge. This would sound to independent/swing voters like a dodge.
Then there is the story Republicans would weave. This is not my story – it would be theirs.
The story is that the Biden crime family hatched a plan where they could, first, by having Hunter plead guilty, avoid a trial at which the truth about the first family of Democratic Party criminality would have come out. Then, as planned all along, Dad would prevent Hunter’s sentence from being served. In this story, enemy-of-the-people mainstream media is condemned for making out that Hunter was bravely pleading guilty because he knew he had done wrong, when the guilty plea was actually all part of their massive (they like that word) coverup.
Millions of middle Americans would buy this as obvious and true, because so many of us come in convinced that rich, powerful, connected people like the Bidens get away with everything poor people, and the middle class, cannot. That’s why it would be believed and have legs
Did any Trump pardon have a story line somewhat like that? [Yes – this link is about the Jonathan Braun communtation](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/26/us/politics/trump-pardon-braun.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Ik4.GPLn.o1dOdRutC0Ms&smid=url-share). But that story is a bit too complicated, and Trump’s crimes are so numerous they start to blend together. The day Biden pardoned his son would be the one not forgotten.
Democrats could denounce Joe Biden for the pardon, as many denounced Bill Clinton for the Marc Rich pardon. That would help some.
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### Author:  [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1587 "2024-09-07T00:19:32Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#):
>
> Millions of middle Americans would buy this as obvious and true, because so many of us come in convinced that rich, powerful, connected people like the Bidens get away with everything poor people, and the middle class, cannot.
And if that comes to pass, Joe will just have to give up any hope for successfully winning a second term (after Harris has done her 8 years).
And Hunter? His presidential ambitions are _totally hosed_. Hell, if he asked, I’d tell him he’d have a hard time just winning a _congressional seat_! In a blue district, even.
Other than that, it won’t matter.
(And were I Biden, I’d pardon my son on the way out the door. Because I could. And when people called me out on it, I’d just give them one of those silent Biden smiles. Maybe put my shades on when I do).
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1588 "2024-09-07T00:25:18Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#):
>
> Here’s why they would keep hammering it for decades.
And there are people who still care about the conspiracy that actually killed JFK. But not very many, and most people ignore them.
Who cares if people rag on Biden for 20 years? He probably won’t even be alive to hear it.
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1589 "2024-09-07T00:28:35Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> And there are people who still care about the conspiracy that actually killed JFK. But not very many, and most people ignore them.
[But some become senators.](https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2024/09/06/ron-johnson-suggests-government-could-have-had-role-in-trump-shooting/75105963007/)
> Wisconsin Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson this week speculated without evidence that the federal government could have been involved in the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in July.
> “The first coup is you take out Kennedy, the second coup you take out Nixon, and then you take out Trump.”
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1590 "2024-09-07T00:32:31Z")
So, he’s claiming that malignant powers within the deep state have been responsible for assassination attempts. That’s nutty, but vaguely relevant. A pardon is done openly. “First, they convinced Biden to pardon his son, then they…” What possible end to that sentence would be interesting?
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### Author:  [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1591 "2024-09-07T00:38:08Z")
> [@Moriarty](#):
>
> (And were I Biden, I’d pardon my son on the way out the door. Because I could. And when people called me out on it, I’d just give them one of those silent Biden smiles. Maybe put my shades on when I do).
This brings up another question. Assuming that Biden cares more about Hunter than the future of his party — which he understandably may — should he commute the sentence?
Considerations vary depending on whether Trump won the election.
If Trump won, and Hunter was pardoned, Donald is going to order the Justice Department to prioritize getting Hunter behind bars some other way. But if Hunter was in jail, the motive would be less, and the Justice Department could get away with endless slow-walking.
If Harris wins, Joe could be confident that the pardon would stick. But GOP hatred of Hunter would amp up. Hunter would get more death threats and his security cocoon would need to be tighter. So, while the case for commutation is stronger if Harris wins, serving the time still makes sense.
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### Author:  [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1592 "2024-09-07T00:40:00Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#):
>
> Assuming that Biden cares more about Hunter than the future of his party
Nah, this isn’t that monumental. The future of the party would be fine.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1593 "2024-09-07T02:05:53Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#):
>
> . But GOP hatred of Hunter would amp up.
Why? Once Biden become politically irrelevant, Hunter becomes totally uninteresting.
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### Author:  [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1594 "2024-09-07T03:24:03Z")
> [@Moriarty](#):
>
> Nah, this isn’t that monumental. The future of the party would be fine.
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> Why? Once Biden become politically irrelevant, Hunter becomes totally uninteresting.
Yep and yep. Who will give a shit about Hunter next year? Trump pardoned a ton of people far worse than Hunter and it doesn’t matter. AT ALL!
Someone needs to stop carrying water for someone. Trump supporters are obvious.
Edit to add:
"I’m not a Trump supporter. Just asking questions and also want to “help” the Democrats! 😉 😉 😉 "
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### Author:  [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1595 "2024-09-07T09:38:04Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#):
>
> But if Hunter was in jail, the motive would be less, and the Justice Department could g
If Whatisface wins, he’ll come down on Hunter like a ton of bricks if the mood hits him. Why not? Why leave your kid to Trump? I can see the pro/anti pardons arguments though. Maybe just pardon him for the tax thing and let him face the gun charge?
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### Author:  [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1596 "2024-09-07T12:24:21Z")
> [@wguy123](#):
>
> Trump pardoned a ton of people far worse than Hunter and it doesn’t matter. AT ALL!
Life is unfair.
Integrity is not part of the populist Trump brand.
When you are a recently convicted felon, perfectly legal misdeeds recede into the background.
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### Author:  [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1597 "2024-09-07T12:39:49Z")
Ergo, Biden should pardon his son post-election, especially if Trump wins.
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### Author:  [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1598 "2024-09-07T18:20:24Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#):
>
> Hunter would get more death threats and his security cocoon would need to be tighter.
Is Hunter getting death threats now?
That’s a serious question. I haven’t heard of him getting any, but I put nothing past the MAGAnatti.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2024, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1599 "2024-09-07T20:23:59Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#):
>
> This brings up another question. Assuming that Biden cares more about Hunter than the future of his party — which he understandably may — should he commute the sentence?
The future of the party has nothing whatsoever to do if Joe commutes Hunters sentence- assuming said sentence is clearly politically biased. Hunter did commit a crime. Hunter should not be pardoned. But the witchhunt against Hunter is political- he had a reasonable deal in place.
> [@Moriarty](#):
>
> Nah, this isn’t that monumental. The future of the party would be fine.
Yep.
> [@wguy123](#):
>
> Yep and yep. Who will give a shit about Hunter next year? Trump pardoned a ton of people far worse than Hunter and it doesn’t matter. AT ALL!
I concur.
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2024, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1600 "2024-09-08T06:58:16Z")
Nobody who matters will care if Hunter’s sentence is commuted.
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### Author:  [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)
#### Post date: [September 21, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1601 "2024-09-21T22:25:15Z")
There was, as I recall, some unusual circumstances in Rich’s case. He had been offered and accepted a plea deal that involved no jail time, just fines and probation. A hard-liner judge dismissed the deal and imposed a substantial jail sentence, after Rich had taken a trip to Europe. If a prosecutor had thought offering the deal was in the interest of justice, maybe Clinton could be persuaded that pardoning him was, too.
Mind you, a donation probably helped grease the wheels.
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### Author:  [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2024, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1602 "2024-10-16T10:01:21Z")
Posted here because it’s related to his trial. I’m curious as to why he dropped it, only to revive the case at this point. Was there some concern about it appearing as if he was working in concert with his dad in some way?
> **[Hunter Biden revives lawsuit against Fox News over explicit images used in...](https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-fox-news-lawsuit-53437907bc917022fd259b67a8bafb0e)**
>
> Hunter Biden is reviving a lawsuit that accuses Fox News of illegally publishing explicit images of him as part of a streaming series.
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### Author:  [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2024, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/1603 "2024-10-16T12:45:53Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Hunter Biden is a public figure who has been the subject of multiple investigations and is now a convicted felon.
And that makes it okay to post stolen naked images of him how? This doesn’t appear to be a defamation suit.
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