总统乔·拜登周四表示,在本周早些时候因联邦枪支指控被定罪后,他不会为亨特·拜登签发总统减刑令。
美国广播公司新闻资深白宫记者Selina Wang报道说,拜登在与乌克兰总统弗拉基米尔·泽连斯基举行记者招待会后被问及这个问题意大利双方宣布了一项新的安全协议。
记者们在音乐声中向拜登施压,“你会给亨特减刑吗?”以及“总统先生,你打算减轻你儿子的刑期吗?”
总统回答说“不”
交换发生在白宫的第二天拒绝排除减刑。
亨特·拜登上周被判有罪,罪名是三项重罪,与他在2018年购买枪支有关,据称他吸毒成瘾。这标志着美国在任总统的孩子首次被判有罪。
拜登总统表达了对儿子的爱,同时承诺尊重审判结果,并一再排除赦免的可能性。
在周四与泽连斯基的新闻发布会上,一名美联社记者问拜登,他是否相信他的儿子“能够得到公平的审判”
"你认为司法部独立于政治运作吗?"记者问。
拜登在回应中首先表示,他为自己的儿子感到“无比自豪”。
“他已经克服了一个加法。他是我认识的最聪明、最正派的人之一,”他说。“我很满意,我不会做任何事情——我说过我会遵守陪审团的决定,我会做到这一点,我不会原谅他。”
亨特·拜登在判决宣布后的一份声明中说,他感谢在为期一周的诉讼中得到的支持。拜登的家庭成员,包括第一夫人吉尔·拜登,挤满了法庭——尽管拜登总统从未露面,因为他在海外纪念诺曼底登陆80周年。
亨特·拜登周二表示:“比起对结果感到失望,我更感谢上周梅丽莎、我的家人、朋友和社区给予我的爱和支持。”。“上帝的恩典使康复成为可能,我很幸运能一天一天地体验这份礼物。”
亨特·拜登的律师阿贝·洛威尔表示,他们尊重陪审团程序,但将“继续积极寻求亨特可以利用的所有法律挑战。”
Biden says he would not commute potential sentence for son Hunter Biden
PresidentJoe Bidensaid Thursday he would not issue a presidential sentence commutation for Hunter Biden following his conviction earlier this week on federal gun charges.
ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Selina Wang reported that Biden was asked about the issue following his press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inItaly, where the two announced a new security agreement.
Reporters shouting over music pressed Biden, "Would you commute Hunter's sentence?" and "Mr. President, do you plan on commuting your son's sentence?"
The president answered with a "no."
The exchange occurred one day after the White Housedeclined to rule outa commutation.
Hunter Biden was found guilty last week on three felony counts related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018 while allegedly addicted to drugs. It marked the first time the child of a sitting U.S. president was criminally convicted.
President Biden has expressed love for his son while committing to respecting the trial's outcome and repeatedly ruling out a pardon.
During the news conference with Zelenskyy on Thursday, Biden was asked by an Associated Press reporter if he believed his son "was able to get a fair trial."
"Do you believe the Justice Department operated independently of politics?" the reporter asked.
Biden began his response by stating he was "extremely proud" of his son.
"He has overcome an addition. He is one of the brightest, most decent men I know," he said. "And I am satisfied that I'm not going to do anything -- I said I'd abide by the jury decision and I will do that, and I will not pardon him."
Hunter Biden, in a statement after the verdict was handed down, said he was grateful for the support he received during the weeklong proceeding. Biden family members, including first lady Jill Biden, packed into the courtroom -- though President Biden never made an appearance as he was overseas to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
"I am more grateful today for the love and support I experienced this last week from Melissa, my family, my friends, and my community than I am disappointed by the outcome," Hunter Biden said on Tuesday. "Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time."
Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden's attorney, said they respected the jury process but will "continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available to Hunter."