White House Leaves Open Possibility of Sentencing Reduction for Biden’s Son

The White House has not ruled out the possibility of President Joe Biden intervening in his son Hunter Biden’s upcoming sentencing for tax fraud. Hunter Biden, 52, is scheduled to appear in federal court in Delaware on March 6 for sentencing on charges related to lying on a gun purchase application and failing to pay taxes on his income from overseas business dealings. He has pleaded guilty to the charges and faces a potential prison sentence. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about the possibility of the president intervening on his son’s behalf during a press briefing on Friday. “I’m not going to get into specifics about the case or the president’s son,” Jean-Pierre said. “The president has always said that he believes in the rule of law. He believes that no one is above the law.” Jean-Pierre’s response leaves open the possibility that Biden could use his presidential authority to pardon his son or commute his sentence. However, she emphasized that the president has not made any decisions about intervening in the case. Some legal experts have argued that Biden would be within his legal authority to pardon his son, even if it is seen as a controversial use of presidential power. However, others have warned that such a move could undermine the rule of law and damage the president’s credibility. Biden has previously expressed support for his son, saying that he is “proud” of him and that he is “confident that he will prove his innocence.” However, the president has also emphasized that he will not interfere in the legal process. “I’m going to let the legal process proceed,” Biden said in an interview in December. “I’m not going to interfere in it.” The White House’s decision on whether or not to intervene in Hunter Biden’s sentencing will likely be influenced by a number of factors, including the potential political consequences, the legal arguments presented by the prosecution and defense, and the president’s own beliefs about his son’s innocence.Biden Administration’s Asylum Restrictions Challenged in Lawsuit

Biden Administration’s Asylum Restrictions Challenged in Lawsuit

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other civil rights organizations have filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, challenging new restrictions on asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. President Biden unveiled the plans earlier this month, prohibiting migrants from seeking asylum along the border when the system is “overwhelmed.” The White House defines “overwhelmed” as when the average number of migrant encounters at the border exceeds 2,500 per day. The ACLU argues that Biden’s actions are unconstitutional and violate Congress’s authority to set immigration policy. The group compared the measures to similar policies implemented by former President Donald Trump, which were ultimately blocked in federal court. “The administration lacks unilateral authority to override Congress and ban asylum based on how one enters the country,” said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrant Rights Project. “The courts made this abundantly clear when the Trump administration unsuccessfully attempted a nearly identical ban.” The White House rejected these claims, stating that the president had no choice after Republican lawmakers blocked efforts to increase border security funding. The new rules, which went into effect last week, limit the processing of asylum seekers when the average number of encounters at the border exceeds 2,500 per day. According to the Associated Press, the number was around 4,000 per day at the time of the order. Under the Biden administration’s policy, migrants can be returned to Mexico or their home countries within days or hours if they cannot demonstrate a credible fear of torture if returned. The ACLU lawsuit alleges that the United States has a long history of protecting refugees seeking asylum from persecution. It argues that the administration’s restrictions violate Congress’s authority and undermine the nation’s commitment to human rights.The White House has not ruled out the possibility that President Biden will grant clemency to his son, Hunter Biden, who is currently serving an 18-month sentence for tax fraud. “The President has not made a decision on this matter,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. “He will consider all the relevant factors before making a determination.” Hunter Biden was convicted in December 2021 on charges of tax fraud and making false statements on a loan application. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, but has been released on bond while he appeals his conviction. President Biden has said that he loves his son and believes that he is a good person. However, he has also said that he will not interfere in the justice system. “I will not get involved in any way with any investigation or prosecution,” Biden said in a statement last year. “I will let the process proceed as it should.” The White House’s refusal to rule out clemency for Hunter Biden has been met with mixed reactions. Some people believe that Biden should grant clemency to his son, while others believe that he should let the justice system run its course. A recent poll found that 52% of Americans believe that Biden should not grant clemency to his son, while 48% believe that he should.