In a candid interview with Variety, actor Sean Penn voiced strong support for President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden, while expressing concerns about the incoming Trump administration.
Penn, who maintains a close relationship with Hunter Biden, characterized the charges against the president’s son as “one of the horrible hit jobs of all time.” The actor’s comments come in the wake of President Biden’s December 1 announcement of a full and unconditional pardon for his son, covering potential federal offenses from January 2014 through December 2024.
The presidential pardon encompasses Hunter Biden’s federal firearm charges and tax convictions, which had been the subject of intense political scrutiny. The White House defended the decision, stating that the president believed his son was selectively prosecuted and that political opponents would continue to target him.
Penn suggested that the timing of the pardon was influenced by concerns about the incoming Trump administration’s stated plans for “retribution” against perceived adversaries. He praised Hunter Biden as “one of the finest people I know” and commended his efforts to overcome addiction.
The actor also addressed speculation about the pardon’s timing, noting, “It ain’t January yet,” while urging President Biden to consider additional pardons for individuals who have been “wrongfully charged” or “overcharged” before leaving office.
“Any father that didn’t do that would have been remiss,” Penn told Variety, and “I don’t know if I want to have a beer with somebody who wouldn’t have pardoned Hunter Biden, being their son.”
Even though President Biden had previously promised not to offer clemency to his family members, Penn argues that the hostile nature of the incoming administration, which he characterizes as “a clown show, a dangerous clown show,” effectively compelled the president to make a different choice.
The pardon has generated significant debate across the political spectrum. Some Democrats have expressed disappointment, arguing that it places personal interest ahead of duty and undermines faith in the justice system. The decision has also drawn criticism from Trump supporters, who view it as a misuse of presidential authority.
Legal experts suggest that the broad scope of the Hunter Biden pardon could set a precedent for future presidential pardons. The pardon’s extensive timeframe and comprehensive coverage of potential federal crimes have raised questions about its implications for executive power.
Civil rights organizations, including Black Lives Matter, have called on Biden to extend similar compassion to others imprisoned for nonviolent offenses.
The controversy has intensified discussions about the nature of presidential pardons and their role in American justice.