President Biden said Thursday he will not pardon his son Hunter, making his first comments on the possibility since Hunter Biden's conviction.
Shortly after a news conference at the G7 Summit, President Biden addressed questions about his son's conviction.
"I abide by the jury decision," he said. "I will do that and I will not pardon him.”
President Biden first indicated he would not pardon Hunter in an exclusive interview with ABC News anchor David Muir, which came before a jury convicted Hunter on Tuesday, June 11.
Hunter was found guilty of three felony counts related to lying about his illicit drug use on forms required to purchase a gun. The jury deliberated for about three hours before making its decision.
Presiding Judge Maryellen Noreika has not set a date for sentencing yet. Sentencing usually occurs within roughly 120 days of a verdict, which means it could take place in mid-October. Until then, Hunter Biden can remain free on bail.
He faces up to 25 years in prison. However, because he has no prior criminal history, legal experts have said it's unlikely that he will serve that much time — if any — behind bars.
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President Biden after son's conviction: 'I will always be there for Hunter'
Possible appeal
There's also the possibility that Biden could request to have his sentencing delayed. A court ruled in May that Biden must wait until after a verdict is reached to file an appeal.
During the trial, Biden defense attorney Abbe Lowell failed on multiple attempts to have the charges against his client dismissed, but has signaled that he would continue pursuing legal challenges. Meanwhile, an appeal could ultimately depend on a pending Supreme Court case that could overturn the law behind Biden's charges.
"I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal," President Biden said in a statement shortly after the jury verdict. "Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.”
