On Thursday, President Joe Biden declared he would not use his presidential powers to pardon or commute the potential sentence for his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of three federal felony charges related to a 2018 gun purchase. Hunter's sentencing date is yet to be set, and while he faces a maximum of 25 years in prison, as a first-time offender, he is unlikely to receive such a severe penalty.
President Biden made these statements during a news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Fasano, Italy. Biden reiterated his pride in his son's overcoming addiction and emphasized his decision to abide by the jury's verdict.
At the G7 summit, leaders reached an agreement to leverage interest from approximately $325 billion in frozen Russian assets to provide a $50 billion loan to support Ukraine. Biden and Zelensky also signed a 10-year bilateral security pact, which includes U.S. commitments for military aid and collaboration with Congress to ensure sustained support for Ukraine.
The president's comments and the landmark agreements coincide with rising geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts, particularly involving Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The pact signifies continued Western backing for Ukraine and aims to deter future aggressions by Russia.