A Delaware judge dismissed Hunter Biden’s federal gun case just two days after President Joe Biden pardoned him. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika closed the case Tuesday, citing no legal precedent for continuing after a pardon. The decision ends the legal battle over Hunter Biden’s felony gun charges.
President Biden’s surprise pardon came Sunday, overturning his son’s convictions for lying on a gun form and tax offenses. The White House had long denied plans to intervene. Republicans quickly criticized the move, calling it an abuse of power to protect the president’s family.
Legal experts are divided on the pardon’s timing, as Hunter Biden had not yet been sentenced. While presidential pardons are broad, preemptive ones raise ethical concerns. Judge Noreika’s ruling, however, confirmed the pardon’s validity, halting all further legal action.
For Hunter Biden, the dismissal is a major relief after years of legal and personal struggles. Yet, political fallout remains likely. GOP investigators continue probing his business dealings, tying them to their impeachment inquiry against President Biden. Critics see the pardon as favoritism, while supporters call it compassion for a man battling addiction.
The case’s closure shifts attention to the political impact. The pardon deepens partisan divides, with opponents accusing the president of undermining justice. As the 2024 election nears, this decision may fuel claims of a biased legal system. For now, Hunter Biden’s legal fight is over—but the debate is far from finished.