On Monday, Special Counsel David Weiss released his much-anticipated report on Hunter Biden, officially concluding the years-long investigation into the president’s son. The findings paint a damning picture of financial misconduct, extravagant spending, and a controversial presidential pardon that has sparked intense political and public backlash.
Weiss’s 27-page report detailed Hunter Biden’s failure to pay $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2020, despite earning more than $7 million during that time. This income stemmed from high-profile roles, including a board position with Ukrainian energy giant Burisma Holdings and ventures tied to a Chinese energy conglomerate.
The report breaks down Hunter Biden’s gross income year by year: $1.5 million in 2016, $2.3 million in 2017, $2.1 million in 2018, $1 million in 2019, and $188,000 in 2020. Despite his substantial earnings, Weiss highlighted that Hunter consciously and willfully chose not to meet his tax obligations.
“As a well-educated lawyer and businessman, Mr. Biden consciously and willfully chose not to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes over a four-year period,” Weiss stated.
The report also criticized Hunter Biden’s use of these funds, noting his penchant for an “extravagant lifestyle.” Weiss dismissed claims that drug use was a valid justification, pointing out that Hunter filed a false tax return for 2018—eight months after achieving sobriety.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles began escalating in 2023, with federal charges piling up against him. In June 2024, he was convicted on three felony firearm charges for purchasing a gun while addicted to drugs. Months later, in September, he pleaded guilty to three felony tax charges and six misdemeanors for failing to pay taxes between 2016 and 2019.
While the charges carried a potential prison sentence of up to 17 years, federal sentencing guidelines suggested a significantly reduced penalty. Before sentencing could occur, President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son in December 2024. The pardon covered a ten-year period, shielding Hunter from any federal offenses he committed or may have committed during that time.
The special counsel did not shy away from criticizing President Biden’s actions, describing the pardon as “unprecedented” and the president’s public comments as “gratuitous and wrong.”
“Other presidents have pardoned family members, but in doing so, none have taken the occasion as an opportunity to malign the public servants at the Department of Justice based solely on false accusations,” Weiss wrote.
JUST IN: Special Counsel David Weiss has released his long-awaited report on Hunter Biden.
In the report, he sharply criticized President Joe Biden’s assertion that the investigation into his son, Hunter Biden, was tainted by “raw politics.”
The 27-page document, supplemented… pic.twitter.com/w0QVHM98Cv
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) January 14, 2025
President Biden had previously characterized the prosecution of his son as “selective” and “unfair.” Weiss argued that such statements undermined confidence in the criminal justice system and unfairly impugned the integrity of Department of Justice personnel.
Hunter Biden’s involvement with Burisma Holdings has long been a point of contention. Critics argue that his board position with the Ukrainian energy firm—secured during his father’s tenure as vice president—illustrates how Hunter leveraged his family name for financial gain.
This connection resurfaced in debates surrounding the pardon, with some alleging that it serves as evidence of preferential treatment. As investigations into Burisma’s ties to U.S. operations in Ukraine continue, questions linger about the broader implications of Hunter Biden’s actions and their impact on American foreign policy.
Weiss emphasized the gravity of Hunter Biden’s offenses, stating, “These are not ‘inconsequential’ or ‘technical’ tax code violations.” The report underlined how Hunter’s choices—both financial and personal—have created a significant public and political spectacle, further complicating his father’s presidency.
The Department of Justice submitted Weiss’s report to Congress on Monday evening, marking the official conclusion of the special counsel’s investigation. However, the political fallout is far from over.
Critics of President Biden’s pardon argue that it sets a dangerous precedent, allowing the powerful to shield their family members from legal accountability. “This isn’t justice; it’s favoritism at its most blatant,” one commentator remarked.
Supporters of the pardon, however, contend that Hunter Biden’s legal troubles have been disproportionately magnified due to his father’s political prominence. They argue that the pardon was necessary to prevent further politicization of the case.
The Weiss report has further divided an already polarized nation, with opponents accusing the Biden administration of corruption and allies dismissing the criticism as partisan attacks.
As public scrutiny over Hunter Biden’s actions and the president’s response intensifies, this case continues to fuel debates about accountability, privilege, and the intersection of family and politics in the highest echelons of power.
The investigation may be over, but the questions it raises about justice, fairness, and influence will likely persist well into the future.